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WALfER8.SMF0RD. 

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THE  UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

LIBRARY 


THE  WILMER  COLLECTION 

OF  CIVIL  WAR  NOVELS 

PRESENTED  BY 

RICHARD  H.  WILMER,  JR. 


y. 


Xt>)(&~ 


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Somers  and  tlic  Arlmiral.     Pa"-e  202. 


BRAVE  OLD   SALT; 


LIFE    ON    THE   QUARTER    DEX^K 


3imj  0f  th$  %X!sni  ^gtltlUm, 


BY 


OLIVEIl    OPTIC, 


AUTHOR  OF    "  THE  SOLDIER  BOY,"    "  TMK  SAII-tUt  BOY,'    "  THE  YOUNG  LIEUTENANT  ' 

"the    YANKEE    MIDDY,"    "FIGHTING    JOK,"    "THE    WOODVILUE   STORIES," 

"lU£    KIVERDALE     STOKY    BOOKS,"    ETC.,  ETC 


BOSTON    1892 
LEE     AND     SHEPARD     PUBLISHERS 

10  MILK  STREET  NEXT  "  THE  OLD  SOUTH  MEETING  HOUSE  " 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1866,  by 

WILLIAM    T.    ADAMS, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  Disti-ict  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


TO 


SAMUEL  C.  PERKINS,  ESQ., 


This   Book 


IS  RESPECTFULLY  DEDICATED, 


BY     HIS     FRIEND 


WILLIAM   T.   ADAMS, 


PREFACE. 


This  volume,  the  sixth  and  last  of  "The  Army  and  Navt 
Stories,"  is  a  record  of  "  Life  on  the  Quarter  Deck,"  mostly  in 
the  squadron  of  Vice  Admiral  Farragut,  one  of  whose  familiar 
appellations,  used  in  the  ward- room  and  on  the  berth  deck,  has 
furnished  the  leading  title  of  the  book-  The  terrible  war  which 
devastated  our  country  for  four  years  has  given  to  history  two 
generals,  Grant  and  Sherman,  and  one  admiral,  Farragut,  whose 
achievements  are  unsurpassed,  if  they  are  equalled,  in  the  annals 
of  military  and  naval  warfare  ;  but  while  the  author,  in  this 
work,  has  gratefully  rendered  his  tribute  of  admiration  to  the 
distinguished  naval  commander,  he  has  not  attempted  to  present 
a  complete  biography  of  him. 

Those  who  have  read  the  preceding  volumes  of  this  series  need 
hardly  be  told  that  this  is  a  book  of  adventure  —  of  personal 
experience  in  the  great  struggle  of  the  nineteenth  century.  Jack 
riomers,  "The  Sailor  Boj',"  Mr.  Somers,  " The  Yankee  Middy," 
and  Caijtain  Somers,  Lieutenant  Commanding,  are  the  same 
person ;  though  often  as  he  changes  his  official  position,  he  is  still 
t^e  same  honest,  true,  and  Christian  young  man. 

in  our  completed  sixth  volume  we  take  leave  of  the  Somers 

.:"  (5) 


6  PREFACE. 

family  with  many  regrets.  If  our  young  friends  in  the  army  and 
navy  had  been  less  true,  noble,  and  Christian,  we  could  have 
parted  with  less  sorrow.  Yet  the  army  and  navy,  as  they 
crushed  the  Rebellion,  have  given  us  many  young  men  just  as 
true,  just  as  noble  and  Christian.  Let  us  gratefully  cherish  these 
living  heroes,  and  they  will  not  pass  away  from  us  "  like  a  tale 
that  is  told." 

To  the  readers,  young  and  old,  who  have  perseveringly  fol- 
lowed my  heroes  through  the  two  thousand  pages  of  this  series, 
I  am  even  more  than  grateful ;  for  I  feel  that  they  have  sym- 
pathized with  me  in  my  desire  to  present  a  lofty  ideal  to  the 
young  man  of  to-day — one  who  will  be  true  to  God,  true  to 
himself,  and  true  to  his  country,  in  whatever  sphere  his  lot  may 
be  cast,  whether  on  the  forecastle  or  the  quarter  deck  ;  as  a 
private  or  an  officer,  in  the  great  army  which  must  ever  battle 
with  life's  trials  and  temptations  till  the  crown  immortal  be  won. 

WILLIAM  T.  ADAMS. 

Hahrison  Sqvabe,  Mass.,  March  13,  1866. 


CONTENTS. 


■■APTES  rAoa 

I.  Lieutenant  Pillgrim 11 

II.  "Waiting  for  the  Ship 23 

III.  The  Wounded  Sailor 3.3 

IV.  The  Front  Chasiber ,44 

V.     SOMERS  COMES  TO  HIS  SENSES.        . 55 

VI.    Lieutenant  Wynkoop,  R.  N 66 

VII.    Langdon's  Letters 77 

VIII.  The  United  States  Steamer  Chatauqua.       ...  87 

IX.    In  the  State-Room 97 

X.    The  Chief  Conspirator 108 

XI.    After  General  Quarters 119 

XII.    The  Ben  Nevis 130 

XIII.  A  Conflict  of  Authority 140 

XIV.  The  Prize  Steamer 150 

XV.    The  Prisoner  in  the  Cabin 160 

XVI.    Captain  "Walmsley 170 

XVII.    Off  Mobile  Bay 180 

XVIII.    Brave  Old  Salt 190 

XIX.    The  Boat  Expedition.     . 200 

XX.    The  Picket  Boat 211 

XXI,    The  Ben  Lomond 222 

(7) 


8  .  CONTEXTS. 

XXII.  Running  the  Blockade 233 

XXIII.  A  Yankee  Trick 244 

XXIV.  PiLLGEIM  AND  LANGDON 254 

XXV.  The  Battle  of  Mobile  Bay 264 

XXVI.  In  the  Hospitai 274 

'XXVII.  Miss  Portington  not  at  Ho>ie 284 

XXVIII.  The  Bkn  Ledi 294 

XXIX.  A  Long  Chase 303 

XXX.  The  End  of  the  Rebellion 319 


BEAVE   OLD   SALT. 


BRAVE    OLD    SALT; 


OR, 


LIFE   ON    THE    QUARTER   DECK. 


CHAPTER     I. 


XIEUTENAXT    PILLGRIM. 


ELL,  Prodigy,  I  congratulate  you  on  jouf 
promotion.  I  even  agree  with  your  entliu 
siastic  admirers,  who  say  that  no  young 
man  better  deserves  his  advancement  than  you,"  said 
Miss  Kate  Portington,  standing  in  the  entry  of  her 
father's  house  at  Newport,  holding  Mr.  Ensign  John 
Somers  by  the  hand. 

"  Thank  you.  Miss  Portington,"  replied  the  young  offi- 
cer, wiih  a  blush  caused  as  much  by  the  excitement  of 
that  happy  moment,  as  by  the  handsome  compliment  paid 
by  the  fair  girl,  who,  Ave  are  compelled  to  acknowledge, 
had  formed  no  inconsiderable  portion  of  the  young  man's 
thoughts,  hopes,  and  aspirations  during  the  preceding 
year. 

(11) 


12  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

John  Somers  had  been  examined  by  the  board  of 
naval  officers  appointed  for  the  purpose,  had  been  tri- 
umphantly passed,  and  promoted  to  the  rank  he  now 
held.  A  short  furlough  had  been  granted  to  him,  and 
he  had  just  come  from  Pinchbrook,  where  he  had  spent  a^ 
week.  A  visit  to  Newport  was  now  almost  as  indispen- 
sable as  one  to  the  home  of  his  childhood,  and  on  his 
way  to  join  the  ship  to  which  he  had  been  ordered,  he 
paused  to  dischi)r<je  this  pleasing  duty. 

Ensign  Somers  was  dressed  in  a  new  uniform,  and  a 
certain  boyish  look,  for  which  he  was  partly  indebted  to 
the  short  jacket  he  had  worn  as  a  midshipman,  had  van- 
ished. Perhaps  Miss  Portington  felt  that  the  pertness, 
not  to  say  impudence,  with  which  she  had  formerly 
treated  him,  though  allowable,  under  a  liberal  toleration, 
towards  a  boy,  Avould  hardly  be  justifiable  in  her  inter- 
course with  a  young  man.  Though,  from  the  force  of 
habit,  she  called  him  "  Prodigy,"  there  was  a  certain 
maidenly  reserve  in  her  manner,  which  rather  puzzled  rji^^ 
Somers,  and  he  could  not  help  asking  himself  what  he  V*  ^ 
had  done  to   cause   this    slight  chill  in    her   tones    and'  vj 

actions.  ^^ 

Undoubtedly  it  was  the  frock  coat  which  produced  this  V^    ,-  • 
refrigerating  effect ;  but  it  was  a  very  elegant  and  well- 
fashioned  garment,  having  the  shoulder  straps  on  which 
glistened  the  "  foul  anchor,"   indicating  his  new   rank, 

and  each  sleeve  being  adorned  with  a  single  gold  baud  on 

RBQ 
NcU 


LIFE    02^    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  ?> 

the  cuff,  also  indicative  of  his  new  position.  The  cap, 
which  he  now  held  in  his  hand,  was  decorated  with  a 
baud  of  gold  lace,  and  bore  on  its  front  the  appropriate 
naval  emblem.  In  strict  accordance  with  the  traditions 
of  the  navy,  he  wore  kid  gloves,  without  which  a  naval 
officer,  on  a  ceremonial  occasion,  would  be  as  incomplete 
as  a  ship  without  a  rudder. 

We  have  no  means  of  knowing  what  Mr.  Ensigp 
Somers  thought  of  himself  in  his  "  new  rig,"  which  cer^ 
taiuly  fitted  with  admirable  nicety,  and  gave  him  an  ap- 
pearance of  maturity  which  he  did  not  possess  when  we 
last  saw- him  on  the  quarter  deck  of  the  Rosalie.  We 
will  venture  to  assert,  however,  that  he  felt  like  a  man, 
and  fully  believed  that  he  Avas  one  —  a  commendable 
sentiment  in  a  person  of  his  years,  inasmuch  as,  if  he 
feels  like  a  man,  he  is  the  more  likely  to  act  like  one. 
As  we  can  hardly  suppose  he  soared  above  all  the  vani- 
ties of  his  impressible  period  of  life,  it  is  more  than 
probable  that  he  regarded  himself  as  a  very  good  looking 
young  fellow  ;  which  brilliant  suggestion  was,  no  doubt, 
wholly  or  in  part  due  to  the  new  uniform  he  wore. 

If  not  wholly  above  the  weakness  of  a  young  man  of 
twenty,  possibly  he  had  a  great  deal  of  confidence  in  his 
own  knowledge  and  ability,  regarded  some  of  the  vet- 
erans of  the  navy  as  "  old  fogies,"  and  looked  upon  his 
own  father  as  "  a  slow  coach."  But  we  must  do  Mr. 
Somers  the  justice  to  say  that  he  tried  to  be  humble  in 
2 


14  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OB 

his  estimate  of  himself,  and  to  bear  the  honors  he  had 
won  with  meekness  ;  that  he  endeavored  to  crush  down 
and  mortify  that  overweening  self-sufficiency  which  dis- 
torts and  disfigures  the  character  of  many  estimable 
young  men.  His  native  bashfulness  had,  in  some  meas- 
ure, been  overcome  by  his  intercourse  with  the  world, 
and  the  humility  of  his  nature,  though  occasionally  as- 
saulted by  the  accident  of  a  new  coat  and  an  extra  sup- 
ply of  gold  lace,  or  by  the  hearty  commendations  of  his 
superiors,  was  genuine,  and,  in  the  main,  saved  him  from 
the  besetting  sin  of  his  years. 

Standing  in  the  presence  of  Miss  Kate  Portington, 
after  an  absence  of  several  months,  wearing  a  new  coat 
glittering  with  the  laurels  he  had  won  on  the  blood- 
stained decks  of  the  nation's  ships,  he  would  have  been 
more  than  human  if  he  had  not  felt  proud  of  what  he 
was,  and  what  he  had  done  —  proud,  not  vain.  He  was 
happy,  holding  the  hand  of  her  who  had  occupied  so 
large  a  place  in  his  thoughts,  and  whose  image  had 
fringed  with  roseate  hues  his  brightest  hopes  and  strong- 
est aspirations. 

Kate  was  not  so  free  with  him  as  she  had  been,  and 
her  reserve  annoyed  and  perplexed  him.  He  had  antici- 
pated a  much  warmer  welcome  than  that  which  gi'eeted 
him  on  his  arrival.  He  was  slightly  disappointed, 
though  there  was  nothing  in  her  manner  for  which  he 
could  have  reproached   her,  even   if  their  relations  had 


LIFE    OX    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  15 

been  more  intimate  than  they  were.  She  was  less 
stormy,  but  still  gentle  and  kind  ;  a  little  more  distant 
in  manner,  though  her  looks  and  words  assured  him 
she  regarded  him  Avith  imdiminished  interest.  Had  he 
known  that  the  elegant  frock  coat  he  wore  produced  the 
chill  in  the  lady  wliich  so  vexed  and  disconcerted  him, 
he  would  willingly  have  exchanged  it  for  the  short  jacket 
in  which  he  had  won  his  promotion. 

They  Avere  standing  in  the  entry.  When  the  servant 
admitted  Mr.  Somers,  Kate  had  heard  his  voice,  and 
perhaps  from  prudential  motives  —  for  there  was  a  visitor 
in  the  parlor  —  she  had  preferred  to  meet  him  in  the  hall. 

"  You  have  been  very  fortunate,  Mr.  Somers,"  added 
she,  gently  releasing  her  hand  from  that  of  the  ensign. 

Mr.  Somers,  instead  of  "  Prodigy"  ! 

"  I  have.  I  don't  deserve  my  promotion,  I  know  ; 
but  I  could  not  help  taking  it  when  it  was  Avithin  my 
reach,"  replied  Somers  ;  and  her  Avords,  though  so 
slightly  chilled  that  the  frigid  tone  could  not  have  been 
noticed  by  any  one  who  did  not  expect  an  unreasonable 
AA-armth,  took  half  the  conceit  out  of  him,  and  let  him 
down  a  long  reach  from  the  high  hopes  and  brilliant 
expectations  Avith  which  he  had  looked  forward  to  this 
meeting. 

"•  On  the  contrary,  Mr.  Somers,  I  think  you  deserve 
even  more  tiian  you  have  received." 

"  Thuuk  you,  Miss  Portiugton  ;  you  were  always  more 
lavisli  of  kind  words  than  I  deserved." 


16  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OB 

"Why,  Prwligy  — " 

She  suddenly  checked  herself.  It  v.as  evident  fo 
Soiners  that  she  iutended  to  say  sonietUiuj^  jHirt  or  saucy. 
Perhaps  she  thoked  down  the  iuipertiucut  words  froi.k 
the  fear  that  the  honorable  secretary  of  the  navy, 
if  such  wild  and  wayward  young'  ladies  as  herself  weie 
permitted  to  contaminate  the  plushy  air  of  Newport  so- 
ciety, would  remove  the  Naval  Academy  back  to  Annap- 
olis, where  it  is  better  to  be  "•proper"  than  to  be  loyal. 

^  You  were  about  to  say  something.  Miss  Portington,'* 
said  Somers. 

*'  I  was,  but  it  was  saucy." 

'^'  I  am  sorry  you  did  not  say  it." 

•'  I  am  glad  I  did  not,  for  you  must  know,  Mr.  Somers, 
that  mother  has  scolded  me  so  much  for  beiog  saucy, 
that  I  have  solemnly  resolved  to  be  proper  in  all  things 
henceforth  and  forevermore." 

"  I  am  sorry  for  it,"  answered  Somers,  with  unaffected 
earnestness. 

"•  Sorry,  you  wretch  ?  " 

Somers  laughed. 

"  There's  another  slip.  I  have  done  my  best  to  re- 
form my  life.  I  am  afraid  I  shall  never  succeed  Now, 
Prodigy  —  " 

Somers  laughed  again. 

"  Again  !  "  exclaimed  Kate. 

"  I  wish  to  ask  one  favor  of  you.  Miss  Portington." 


LIFE    Oy    THE    QUAnTEn    DECK.  17 

"  It  "would  afford  ir,e  more  pleasure  to  grant  it,  than  it 
does  you  to  a:-k  it.     Name  it." 

"That  you  will  never  call  me  Prodigy  again." 

"  I  had  firndy  resolved  before  you  came  never  to  do 
if,"  laughed  she. 

"  Well,  I  only  asked  it  in  order  to  help  along  your 
good  resolutions." 

"  Then  you  are  making  fun  of  me?  " 

"  Like  yourself,  I  am  very  serious." 

"  But  I  am  in  earnest,  Mr.  Somers  ;  I  mean  to  re- 
form. Now,  father  and  mother  Avill  be  very  glad  to  see 
you,  Mr.  Somers." 

"Your  father?" 

"  He  was  temporarily  relieved  to  attend  a  coun  mar- 
tial.    He  is  going  away  again  to-morrow." 

"  You  have  other  visitors  ?  " 

"  Only  Lieutenant  Pillgrim." 

"  I  have  not  the  pleasure  of  his  acquaintance." 

"  He  is  a  Virginian,  I  believe  ;  at  any  rate  he  is  from 
the  South,  and  has  just  been  restored  to  his  rank  in  the 
navy." 

Kate  led  the  Avay  into  the  parlor,  where  he  was  first 
v^'elcomed  by  her  mother. 

"  Mr.  Somers,  I  am  glad  to  ?ve  you,  and  to  congratu- 
late you  on  your  promotion,"  i-i.'.A  the  commodore,  as  he 
grasped  the  hand  of  the  young  otTicer. 

"  Thank  you.  sir,"  replied  Sov.ior.?.  "  The  only  ungrat* 
2* 


18  *         Bn.iVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

ified  wish  I  had  was  that  I  might  be  appoluted  to  your 
ship." 

'•My  ship!" 

'*  I  should  have  been  gh^d  to  serve  under  so  able  aud 
distinguished  a  commander." 

"  I  wouldn't  have  you  in  my  ship,"  promptly  returned 
the  commodore,  shaking  his  head  energetically. 

Somers  looked  abashed,  aud  Kate  wore  a  troubled 
expression. 

"  I  should  endeavor  to  do  my  duty,"  he  added. 

"  I  have  uo  doubt  of  it,  but  1  wouldn't  have  you  in 
my  ship." 

''Your  remark  is  not  very  complimentary,"  said  Som- 
ers, his  face  beginning  to  flush  with  indignation  at  what 
seemed  to  be  an  assault  upon  his  professional  character. 

"  It  is  the  most  complimentary  thing  I  could  say  to 
you.  And  I  mean  what  I  say  :  I  wouldn't  have  you  in 
my  ship." 

"  Why  not,  father?  "  demanded  Kate. 

"  Because  I  like  the  young  dog,  and  because  I  believe 
in  discipline.  I  never  indulge  in  partiality  on  board  my 
ship,  and  it  is  better  to  keep  out  of  temptation.  I  am 
under  obligations  to  you,  Mr.  Somers  ;  I  am  happy  to 
acknowledge  them,  but  they  must  not  come  between  me 
and  duty.  Mr.  Somers,  Lieutenant  Pillgrim,"  continued 
Commodore  Portington,  turning  to  the  visitor. 

Somers  looked  at  the  officer  tims  indicated,  and  as  \\h 


LIFE    OX    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  19 

eyes  rested  upon  him,  he  started  back  with  a  momentary 
astouishmeut,  i'or  the  face  had  a  strange  look  of  familiar- 
ity to  him. 

"  Mr.  Somers,  I  am  happy  to  meet  and  to  know  you. 
Your  name  and  reputation  are  already  familiar  to  me." 

"  I  am  glad  to  know  you,  sir,"  replied  Somers,  with 
some  confusion.  "  Your  face  looks  so  familiar  to  me, 
that  I  think  we  must  have  met  before." 

"  Never,  to  my  knowledge,"  answered  the  lieutenant, 
with  easy  self-possession. 

"  I  was  quite  sure  I  had  seen  you  before." 

"  Possibly  ;  I  do  not  remember  it,  however." 

"  If  I  had  met  you  without  the  favor  of  an  introduc- 
tion, I  should  certainly  have  claimed  the  honor  of  your 
acquaintance." 

"  I  should  have  been  proud  to  be  so  claimed,  but  I 
must  confess  you  would  have  had  the  advantage  of  me." 

"  Of  course,  I  must  be  mistaken,  as  you  suggest." 

"  It  is  not  vmlikcly  that  we  have  met  in  some  ante- 
room where  we  were  dancing  attendance  on  the  powers 
that  be,  in  search  of  employment ;  but  I  am  quite  sure, 
Mr.  Somers,  that  I  should  have  been  proud  and  happy 
to  number  you  among  my  friends." 

"It  is  not  too  late  now,"  said  the  commodore. 

"  Certainly  not.  I  should  be  but  too  happy  to  have 
as  my  friend  one  who  has  served  his  country  so  faith, 
fully,"   added  Mr.  Pillgrim,  as  he  bowed   gracefully  to 


20  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

Someis,  "  especially  as  I  understand  we  are  appointed 
to  thfe  same  ship." 

"  Indeed !  " 

"  I  am  ordered  to  the  Chatauqua." 

"  So  am  I." 

"  Then,  Mr.  Pillgrim,  you  Avill  take  care  of  our  Prod- 
igy ;  you  will  be  excellent  friends,  I  trust,"  said  Kate, 
beginning  very  impulsively  in  her  old  way,  and  suddenly 
checking  herself  when  her  resolution  to  be  "proper" 
interposed  itself. 

"  "What  is  the  matter,  Kate  ?  Have  you  and  Mr. 
Somers  had  a  falling  out  ?  "  demanded  the  commodore. 

"  O,  no,  father." 

"  You  talk  as  though  you  had  had  a  quarrel,  and  for 
a  moment  had  forgotten  to  be  savage." 

"  We  have  had  no  quarrel,  pa,"  replied  Kate,  blush- 
ing. "  I  was  going  to  be  saucy,  but  ma  says  I  must  not 
be  saucy,  and  I  shall  not  be  saucy  any  more.  I  only 
hoped  the  two  gentlemen  Avho  are  going  to  live  together 
in  the  same  ship  would  be  good  friends." 

"  Of  course  they  will.     Officers  never  quarrel." 

"  Perhaps  they  don't  ;  but  they  are  not  always  as  good 
friends  as  I  hope  these  gentlemen  will  be,"  laughed  Kate. 

"  Perhaps  he  will  be  my  friend  for  your  sake,  if  he  is 
not  for  mine,"  added  Pillgrim. 

"  1  do  not  wish  that.  I  don't  like  to  have  anybody 
do  anything  for  my  take,  unless  it  be  to  take  paregoric 
when  I  am  sick.'' 


LIFE    ON    TEE    QUARTER    DECK.  21 

"  I  trust  I  shall  not  be  paregoric  to  him,"  said  Pill- 
grim. 

"  Then  he  Avill  not  take  you  for  raj  sake." 

'-  As  Lieutenant  I'illgrim  is  my  superior  officer,  I 
should  be  likely  to  court  his  good  Avill,  and  prize  his 
friendship  very  highly.  If  we  are  not  friends,  I  am 
sure  it  will  not  be  my  fault." 

At  this  moment  the  dinner  bell  rang ;  and  although 
Somers  did  not  feel  intimate  enough  with  the  family  to 
invite  himself  to  dine,  he  was  easily  prevailed  upon  to 
remain,  and  gallantly  gave  his  arm  to  Mrs.  Portington, 
as  Kate,  for  some  wayward  reason  of  her  own,  had 
already  seized  upon  that  of  Lieutenant  Pillgrim. 

At  the  table  Somers  sat  opposite  the  lieutenant,  and 
he  found  it  impossible  to  avoid  looking  upon  him  with  a 
strange  and  undefinable  interesL  Since  his  first  glance 
at  the  commodore's  visitor,  who  seemed  to  be  on  the  best 
of  terms  with  the  family,  he  had  been  perplexed  by  some 
strange  misgivings.  He  could  not  banish  from  his  mind 
an  assurance  that  he  had  seen  him  before  ;  that  he  had 
talked  with  him,  and  even  been,  to  some  extent,  intimate 
with  him. 

The  thought  that  Kate  was  somewhat  changed  in  her 
demeanor  towards  him  did  not  contribute  to  increase  his 
satisfaction.  She  had  contrived  to  take  the  lieutenant's 
arm  instead  of  his  own,  and  perhaps  he  had  come  as  the 
successor  of   Phil   Kennedy,    who  had  been  reputed   to 


22  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

be  high  in  her  good  graces.  But  Mr.  Pillgrim  was  a 
gentleman  of  thirty-five,  at  least,  and  this  was  not  proba- 
ble, in  his  view  of  the  matter.  Somers,  being  disinter- 
ested, was  more  worried  to  know  when,  where,  and 
under  vhat  circumstances  he  had  met  the  lieutenant. 


LIFE  ON  THE   QUAUTER  DECK.  23 


CHAPTER    II. 


WAITING    FOR   THE    SHIP. 


^  OMERS  was  utterly  unable  to  satisfy  himself  in 
regard  to  Lieutenant  Pillgrim.  The  face  was 
certainly  familiar  to  him,  not  as  a  combination 
of  remembered  features,  but  rather  as  an  expression.  To 
him  the  eye  seemed  to  be  the  Avhole  of  the  man,  and  its 
gaze  would  haunt  him,  though  his  memory  refused  to 
identify  it  with  any  time,  place,  or  circumstances. 
Though  his  reason  compelled  him  to  believe  that  he  was 
mistaken,  and  that  Mr.  Pillgrim  Avas  actually  a  stranger, 
his  consciousness  of  having  seen,  and  even  of  having  been 
intimate  with,  the  gentleman,  most  obstinately  refused  to 
be  shaken. 

"  Of  course,  gentlemen,  you  have  no  idea  to  what  point 
the  Chatauqua  has  been  ordered  ?  "  said  the  commodore. 

"  I  have  not,"  replied  Mr.  Pillgrim. 

"  I  have  heard  it  said  that  she  was  going  to  the  Gulf," 
added  Somers. 

"■  Very  likely ;  there  are  two  points  where  extensive 
naval  operations  are  likely  to  be  undertaken  —  at  Mobile 


24  BRAVE  OLD  SALT,   OR 

and  at  "Wilmington.  The  rebellion  has  had  so  many 
hard  knocks  that  the  bottom  must  drop  out  before  many 
months." 

"  I  am  afraid  the  end  is  farther  off  than  most  people  at 
the  North  are  willing  to  believe,"  said  Mr.  Pillgrim. 

"  Every  thing  looks  hopefvd.  If  we  can  contrive  to 
batter  down  Fort  Fisher,  and  open  Mobile  Bay,  the 
rebels  may  count  the  months  of  their  Confederacy  on 
their  fingers." 

"  1  think  there  is  greater  power  of  resistance  left  in 
the  South,  than  we  give  it  the  credit  for." 

"The  rebels  have  fought  well ;  what  of  it?  "  continued 
the  commodore,  who  did  not  seem  to  be  pleased  with  the 
style  of  the  lieutenant's  remarks. 

"  As  fighting  men,  Ave  can  hardly  fail  to  respect  those 
who  have  fought  so  bravely  as  the  people  of  the  South." 

"  People  of  the  South ! "  sneered  the  commodore. 
"  Why  don't  you  call  them  rebels?  " 

"  Of  course  that  is  what  I  mean,"  answered  Mr.  Pill- 
grim,  a  slight  fiush  visible  on  his  cheek. 

"  If  you  mean  it,  why  don't  you  say  it?  Call  things 
by  their  right  names.  The  people  of  the  South  are  not 
all  rebels.  Why,  confound  it,  Farragut  is  a  Southerner  ; 
so  is  General  Anderson  ;  so  are  a  hundred  men,  who  have 
distinguished  themselves  in  putting  down  treason.  It's 
an  insult  to  these  men  to  talk  about  the  people  of  th« 
South  as  rebels." 


LIFE  OX  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  25 

"  I  agree  with  you,  Commodore  Portington,  and  what 
I  said  was  only  a  form  of  expression." 

"  It's  a  very  bad  form  of  expression.  Why,  man,  you 
are  a  Southerner  yourself." 

"  I  am ;  and  I  suppose  that  is  what  makes  me  so 
proud  of  the  good  fighting  the  people  of  the  South -^  I 
mean  the  rebels — have  done.  We  cau't  help  respecting 
men  who  have  behaved  with  so  much  gallantry." 

"  Can't  we?"  exclaimed  the  commodore,  with  a  sneer 
so  wholesome  and  honest,  that  Lieutenant  Pillgrim  with* 
ered  under  it.  "  I  can  help  it.  I  have  no  respect  for 
rebels  and  traitors  under  any  circumstances." 

"  Nor  I,  as  rebels  and  traitors,"  replied  Pillgrim, 
mildly. 

"  As  rebels  and  traitors  !  I  don't  like  these  fine-spun 
distinctions.  If  a  man  is  a  traitor,  call  him  so,  and 
swing  him  up  on  the  fore-yard  arm,  where  he  belongs." 

"  You  are  willing  to  acknowledge  that  the  rebels  have 
fought  well  in  this  war?"  added  the  lieutenant. 

"  They  have  fought  well :  I  don't  deny  it." 

"  And  you  appreciate  gallant  conduct?  " 

"  That  depends  on  the  cause.  No,  sir  !  I  don't  appre- 
ciate gallant  conduct  on  the  part  of  rebels  and  traitors. 
It  is  not  gallant  conduct ;  and  the  better  they  fight,  the 
more  wicked  they  are." 

"  I  can  hardly  take  your  view  of  the  case." 

"  Can't  you?  The  best  fighting  I  ever  saw  in  my  lift 
3 


26  BRAVE   OLD   SALT,    OR 

was  on  the  deck  of  a  pirate  ship.  The  bhick-hearted 
villains  fought  like  demons.  Not  a  man  of  them  would 
yield  the  breadth  of  a  hair.  We  had  to  cut  them  down 
like  dogs.  Is  piracy  respectable  because  these  men 
fought  well  ?  " 

"  Certainly  not ;  but  the  bravery  of  such  men  —  " 

"  Nonsense  !  I  know  what  you  are  going  to  say  ;  but 
you  can't  separate  the  pirate  from  his  piracy,  nor  the 
traitor  from  his  treason,"  replied  the  commodore,  Avarm- 
ly.  ''  The  other  day  1  saw  a  little  dirty  urchin  fighting 
with  his  mother.  The  young  cub  had  run  away,  I  sup- 
pose, and  the  woman  was  dragging  him  back  to  the 
house.  He  was  not  more  than  six  years  old,  but  he 
displayed  a  power  of  resistance  which  rather  astonished 
me.  He  kicked,  bit,  scratched,  and  yelled  like  a  young 
tiger.  He  called  his  mother  everything  but  a  lady. 
The  poor  woman  tugged  at  him  with  all  her  strength, 
but  the  little  rascal  was  almost  a  match  for  her.  1 
wanted  to  take  him  by  the  nape  of  the  neck,  and  shake 
the  ugly  out  of  him  :  nothing  but  my  fixed  principles  of 
neutrality  prevented  me  from  doing  so.  I  suppose,  Mr. 
Pillgrim,  you  would  have  sympathized  Avith  the  brat, 
because  he  fought  bravely." 

"  Hardly,"  replied  the  lieutenant,  laughing  at  the  simile. 

"  But  he  fought  like  a  tiger,  and  displayed  no  mean 
strategy  in  his  rebellious  warfare.  Of  course  he  was 
worthy  of  your  admiration,"  sneered  the  commodore. 


LIFE   OX  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  27 

"That's  hardly  a  fair  comparison." 

"  The  fail  est  in  the  world.  The  rebels  have  insulted 
their  own  mother  —  the  parent  that  fostered,  protected, 
and  loved  them.  They  undertook  to  run  away  from  her  ; 
and  when  she  attempts  to  bring  them  back  to  their  duty, 
they  kick,  and  scratch,  and  bite  ;  and  you  admire  tliem 
because  they  fight  well." 

"  I  stand  convicted,  Commodore  Portington.  I  never 
took  this  view  of  the  matter  ;  I  acknowledge  that  you 
are  right,"  said  Mr.  Pillgrim. 

Somers,  who  had  been  an  attentive  listener  to  the  con- 
versation, thought  the  lieutenant  yielded  very  gracefully, 
and  much  more  readily  than  could  have  been  expected  ; 
but  then  the  logician  was  a  commodore,  and  perhaps  it 
was  prudence  and  politeness  on  his  part  to  agree  with 
his  powerful  superior. 

After  dinner  (he  party  took  a  ride  to  the  beach  and  to 
the  Glen  ;  and  after  an  early  tea,  Somers  and  Pillgrim, 
Avho  Avere  to  be  fellow-passengers  to  Philadelphia,  where 
the  Chatauqua  was  fitting  out,  began  to  demonstrate  in 
the  direction  of  their  departure.  Kate,  though  she  had 
been  tolerably  playful  during  the  afternoon,  had,  in  the 
main,  carried  out  her  good  resolution  to  be  proper.  She 
had  not  been  impudent  —  hardly  pert ;  and  deprived  of 
this  convenient  mask  for  whatever  kindness  she  might 
have  entertained  towards  the  young  ensign,  she  seemed 
to  be  very  cold  and  indifferent  to  h!ni.      Slie  was  more 


28  BRAVE  OLD   SALT,   OR 

thoughtful,  serious,  and  earnest  than  when  they  had  met 
on  former  occasions.  He  conkl  not  liclp  asking  himself 
wliat  he  had  done  to  produce  this  marked  change  iu  her 
conduct, 

"■  Good  by.  Miss  Portington,"  said  he,  when  he  had 
taken  leave  of  her  father  and  mother. 

"  Good  by,  Mr.  Somers.  Shall  I  hear  from  you  when 
you  reach  your  station  ?  "  she  asked,  presenting  her  hand. 

"  If  you  desire  it." 

"  If  I  desire  it !  Why,  Mr.  Somers,  you  forget  that  I 
am  deeply  interested  in  your  success." 

"  Perhaps,  if  I  do  anything  of  which  you  would  care  to 
learn,  the  newspapers  may  inform  you  of  the  fact,"  re- 
plied Somers,  with  a  kind  of  grim  smile,  which  seemed 
actually  to  alarm  poor  Kate. 

"  I  would  rather  hear  it  from  you." 

"I  judge  that  you  are  more  interested  in  my  suc- 
cess than  you  are  iu  me." 

"  Ah,  Mr.  Somers,  you  cannot  separate  the  pirate 
from  his  piracy,  pa  said  ;  nor  the  hero  from  his  heroism, 
let  me  add." 

"  Thank  you.  Miss  Portington." 

"  I  cannot  forget  how  deeply  indebted  we  are  to  you, 
Mr.  Somers." 

''  I  wish  you  could." 

"  Why  do  you  wish  so  ? "  demanded  the  astonished 
maiden  ;  more  astonished  at  his  manner  than  his  words 


LIFE  OX  th't:  Q'JAnrrp,  deck.  23 

"  I  am  sorry  to  have  you  burdened  with  such  a  Avci.;ht 
of  obligation." 

"■  I  thluk  you  mean  to  qiuirrel  with  me,  !RIr.  Somers. 
I  beg  you  will  not  be  so  savage  just  as  you  are  going 
away,"  laughed  Kate,  though  there  Avas  a  troubled  ex- 
pression on  her  fair  face.  "  I  asked  you  if  I  should  l;par 
from  you,  Mr.  Somers." 

''Certainly,  if  you  desire." 

"  Why  do  you  qualify  your  Avords  ?  I  should  be  just 
as  glad  to  hear  from  you  as  I  ever  was." 

"•  Then  you  shall,  at  every  opportunity." 

"  Thank  you,  Mr.  Somers.  That  sounds  hearty  and 
honest,  as  father  would  say." 

"  I  do  not  wish  yoil  to  feci  an  interest  in  me  from  a 
sense  of  duty.  I  shall  not  write  any  letters  from  a  sense 
of  duty,  or  even  because  I  have  promised  to  do  so.  I 
shall  write  to  you  because  —  because  I  can't  help  it," 
stammered  Somers,  almost  overcome  by  the  violence  of 
his   exei  lions. 

"  I  thank  you,  Mr.  Somers,  and  I  am  sure  your  letters 
will  be  all  the  more  welcome  from  my  knowledge  of  the 
fact." 

''  Good  by,"  said  he,  gently  pressing  the  little  hand  he 
held. 

"•  Good  by,"  she  replied  ;  and  to  his  great  satisfaction 
and  delight,  the  pressure  was  returned  —  a  kind  of  tele- 
3* 


30  BRAVE   OLD   SALT  OR 

graphic  sigral,  infiaitelj  more  expressive  than  all  the 
words  in  the  spelling-book,  strung  into  sentences,  could 
have  been  to  a  young  man  in  his  desperate  condition. 

Mr.  Ensign  Somers  was  now  entirely  ?atisfied.  That 
gentle  pressure  of  the  hand  had  atoned  for  all  her  reserve 
and  coldness,  real  or  imaginary,  and  made  the  future 
bright  and  pleasant  to  look  upon.  Undoubtedly  Mr. 
Somers  was  a  silly  young  fellow  ;  but  there  is  some  con- 
solation in  believing  that  he  was  just  like  all  young  men 
under  similar  circumstances. 

Mr.  Pillgrim  followed  him  out  of  the  house,  and  they 
hastened  down  to  the  wharf  to  take  the  steamer  for  New 
York.  On  the  passage  the  two  officers  treated  each 
other  with  courtesy  and  consideration,  but  there  appeared 
to  be  no  strong  sympathy  of  thought  or  feeling  between 
them,  and  they  were  not  drawn  so  closely  together  as 
they  might  have  been  under  similar  circumstances,  if 
there  had  been  more  of  opinion  and  sentiment  common 
between  them. 

On  their  arrival  at  Philadelphia,  they  found  the  Cha- 
tauqua  was  still  in  the  hands  of  the  workmen,  and  would 
not  go  into  commission  for  a  week  or  ten  days.  They 
reported  to  the  commandant  of  the  navy  yard,  and  took 
up  their  quarters  at  the  "  Continental,"  where  Somers 
found  his  old  friend  Mr.  Waldron,  who  had  been  de- 
tached from  the  Ro  alie  at  his  own  reqrest,  and  ordered  to 
the  Chataiiqua,   in  which  he  was   to  serve  as  executive 


LIFE   ON  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  31 

officer.  This  was  splendid  news  to  Soraers,  for  he  re- 
garded Mr.  Waldrou  as  a  true  and  trusty  friend,  in 
whom  he  could  with  safety  confide. 

"  Do  you  know  Lieutenant  Pillgrim?"  asked  Somera, 
after  they  had  discussed  their  joint  information  in  regard 
to  the  new  ship.  " 

"  I  am  not  personally  acquainted  with  him,  though  I 
have  heard  his  name  mentioned.  He  is  a  Virginian,  I 
think." 

''  Yes." 

"  If  I  mistake  not,  there  were  some  doubts  about  his 
loyalty,  though  he  never  tendered  his  resignation  ;  he  has 
been  kept  in  the  background." 

"  He  seems  to  be  a  loyal  and  true  man." 

"  No  doubt  of  it,  or  he  would  not  have  been  appointed 
to  the  Chatauqua." 

"  He  has  some  respect  for  the  rebels,  but  no  sympathy." 

"  I  think  he  has  frequently  applied  for  employment, 
but  has  not  obtained  it  until  the  present  time.  I  have  no 
doubt  he  is  a  good  fellow  and  a  good  officer.  He  ranks 
next  to  me.  But,  Somers,  I  leave  town  in  half  an  hour," 
continued  Mr.  Waldron,  consulting  his  watch.  "  I  am 
going  to  run  home  for  a  few  days,  till  the  ship  goes  into 
commission.     I  will  see  you  here  on  my  return." 

Somers  walked  to  the  railroad  station  witli  his  late 
commander,  and  parted  with  him  as  tlie  train  started. 
During  the  three  succeeding  days,   he    visited   the   mu- 


32  BRAVE   OLD  SALT,   OR 

seums,  libraries,  and  other  places  of  resort,  interesting  to 
a  young  man  of  his  tastes.  He  went  to  the  navy  yard 
every  dav,  and,  with  his  usual  zeal,  learned  what  he 
could  of  the  build,  rig,  and  armament  of  the  Chatauqua, 
and  gathered  such  other  information  relating  to  his  pro- 
fession as  woukl  be  useful  to  him  in  the  future. 

Lieutenant  Pillgrim  passed  his  time  in  a  different  man- 
ner. Though  he  was  not  what  the  world  would  call  an 
intemperate  or  an  immoral  man,  he  spent  n^any  of  his 
hours  in  bar-rooms,  billiard-saloons,  and  places  of  public 
amusement.  He  several  times  invited  Somers  to  "join  '' 
him  at  the  bar,  to  play  at  billiards,  and  to  visit  the  thea- 
tre, and  other  places  of  more  questionable  morality. 
The  young  officer  was  not  a  prude,  but  he  never  drank, 
did  not  know  how  to  play  billiards,  and  never  visited  a 
gambling  resort.  He  went  to  the  theatre  two  or  threw 
times  ;  but  this  was  the  limit  of  his  indulgence. 

Mr.  Pillgrim  was  courteous  and  gentlemanly  ;  he  did 
not  press  his  invitations.  He  treated  his  brother  officer 
with  the  utmost  kindness  and  consideration  ;  was  always 
ready,  and  even  forward,  to  serve  him  ;  and  their  rela- 
tions were  of  the  pleasantest  character. 

One  evening,  when  Somers  called  at  the  office  for  the 
key  of  his  room,  after  his  return  from  the  navy  yard,  a 
letter  was  handed  to  him.  The  writing  Avas  an  unfamil- 
iar hand,  scrawling  and  hardly  legible.  It  was  evidently 
the  production  of  an  illiterate  person.  On  reaching  his 
room  he  opened  it. 


LIFE  ON  THE   QUARTER  DECK.  33 


CHAPTER    III. 


THE    WOUNDED    SAILOR. 


€i 


'HE  curiosity  of  Somers  was  not  a  little  excited 
before  he  opened  the  uncouth  letter  in  his  hand, 
was  postmarked  Philadelphia,  which  made  its 
reception  all  the  more  strange,  for  he  had  no  friends  or 
acquaintances  residing  in  the  city.  He  tore  open  the 
dirty  epistle,  which  was  not  even  enclosed  in  an  envelope, 
and  read  as  follows  :  — 

PhilA.  June  the  19.  1864. 

Mr.  John  Somers  Esq.  Sir.  I  been  wounded  in  the 
leg  up  the  Missippi  and  can  not  do  nothing  more.  I 
been  in  your  division  aboard  the  Rosalie,  and  I  know 
you  was  a  good  man  and  I  know  you  was  a  good  officer, 
I  hope  you  be  in  good  helth,  as  I  am  not  at  this  present 
writen.  my  Leg  is  very  bad,  and  don't  git  no  better. 
This  is  to  inform  you  that  I  am  the  only  son  of  a  poor 
widdow,  who  has  no  other  Son,  and  she  can  not  do  noth- 
ing for  me,  nor  I  can't  do  nothing  for  her.  I  have  Fout 
for  my  countrey  and  have  been  woundded  in  the  servis. 


34  BRAVE  OLD  SALT,   OR 

If  you  could  git  a  penshin  for  me.  it  would  be  a  grate 
help  to  me  Sorrowin  condition.  I  live  No  —  Front  Street. 
It  I  might  make  bold  to  ask  you  to  come  and  see  a  old 
Sailor,  thrown  on  the  beam  ends  of  missfortune,  I  would 
be  very  thankful  to  you. 

Yours  to  command, 

Thomas  Barron. 

N.  B.  The  doctor  says  he  thinks  my  Leg  will  hav» 
to  come  off. 

Tom  Longstone  knows  me,  and  you  ask  him,  he  will 
tell  you  all  About  me. 

"  Thomas  Barron,"  mused  Somers,  as  he  folded  the 
letter.  "  I  don't  remember  him.  There  were  two  or 
three  Toms  on  board  the  Rosalie.  At  any  rate,  I  have 
nothing  better  to  do  than  call  upon  him.  He  is  an  old 
sailor,  and  that  is  enough  for  me." 

It  was  already  after  dark  ;  but  he  decided  to  visit  the 
sufferer  that  night-,  and  after  tea  he  left  the  house  for 
this  purpose.  He  was  sufficiently  acquainted  with  the 
streets  of  this  systematic  city  to  make  his  way  without 
assistance.  Of  course  he  did  not  expect  to  find  the  home 
of  the  old  sailor  in  a  wealthy  and  aristocratic  portion  of 
the  city ;  but  if  he  had  understood  the  character  of  the 
section  to  which  the  direction  led  him,  he  would  probably 
have  deferred  his  charitable  mission  till  the  following 
day.     On  reaching  the  vicinity  of  the  place  indicated,  h« 


LIFE  OK  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  35 

found  himself  in  a  vile  locality,  surrounded  by  the  lowesl 
and  most  depraved  of  the  population. 

With  considerable  difficulty  he  found  the  number  men' 
tioned  in  the  letter.  The  lower  story  of  the  building  was 
occupied  as  a  liquor  shop,  and  a  further  examination  of 
the  premises  assured  him  the  place  was  a  sailor's  board' 
ing-house.  As  this  fact  was  not  inconsistent  with  the 
character  of  Tom  Barron,  he  entered  the  shop.  Half  a 
dozen  vagabonds  had  possession  ;  and  as  Somers  entered, 
the  attention  of  the  whole  group  was  directed  to  him. 

"  Is  there  a  sailor  by  the  name  of  Thomas  Barron  in 
this  house  ? "  asked  Somers  of  the  greasy,  corpulent 
woman,  who  stood  behind  about  four  feet  of  counter, 
forming  the  bar,  on  which  were  displayed  several  bottles 
and  decanters. 

"  Yes,  sir ;  and  very  bad  he  is  too,"  replied  the 
woman,  civilly  enough,  though  the  young  officer  could 
hardly  help  shuddering  in  her  presence. 

"  Could  I  see  him  ?  " 

"  I  'spect  you  can,  if  you  be  the  officer  Tom  says  is 
comin'  to  see  him." 

"  I  am  the  person." 

"  Tom's,  very  bad." 

"  So  he  says  in  his  letter." 

"  He  hain't  had  a  minute's  peace  or  comfort  with  that 
leg  sence  he  come  home  from  the  war.  Be  you  any 
ruation  of  his  ?  " 


SS,  BRAVE  OLD  SALT,  OR 

"  I  am  not." 

"  Mebbe  you're  his  friend." 

"  He  served  under  me  in  the  Rosalie." 

"Tom  hain't  paid  no  board  for  two  months,  which 
tomes  hard  on  a  poor  woman  like  me,  takin'  care  of  him, 
\nd  his  mother  too,  that  come  here  to  nuss  him." 

"  Perhaps  something  can  be  done  for  him." 

"  "Well,  I  hope  so.  I  don't  see  how  I  can  keep  him 
*ny  longer.  He  owes  me  forty  dollars.  If  any  body  '11 
pay  half  on't,  I'd  keep  on  doin'  for  him." 

"  I  will  see  what  can  be  done  for  him.  Why  was  be 
not  sent  to  the  hospital  ?  " 

"  He's  too  bad  to  be  sent,  and  he  don't  want  to  go, 
nuther.  He  says  the  doctors  try  speriments  on  poor 
fellers  like  him,  and  he  don't  want  to  be  cut  up  afore 
he  's  dead." 

"  Well,  I  will  endeavor  to  hav  something  done  for 
him.  I  am  entirely  willing  to  help  him  as  much  as  I 
can." 

"  Perhaps  you'd  be  willin'  to  do  sunthin'  towards 
payin'  my  bill,  then." 

"  Perhaps  I  will ;  but  I  wish  to  see  the  man  before  I 
do  anything.     Will  you  show  me  to  his  room  ?  " 

"  I  don't  go  up  and  down  stairs  none  now.  Here, 
Childs,  you  show  this  gentleman  up  to  the  front  room," 
said  the  landlady  to  one  of  the  vagabonds  before  her. 
"  Then  go  and  tell  Tom  his  officer  has  come.     I  suppose 


LIFE  ON  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  3T 

they  '11  want  to  slick  up  a  little,  afore  they  let  you  in ; 
but  Miss  Barron  will  tell  you  when  she  is  ready." 

Somers  followed  the  man  up  a  flight  of  rickety  stairs, 
and  was  ushered  into  the  front  room.  It  was  a  bed' 
chamber,  supplied  with  the  rudest  and  coarsest  furniture. 
The  visitor  sat  down,  after  telling  Childs  that  the  sailor's 
mother  need  not  stop  to  "  slick  up "  before  he  was 
admitted.  He  did  not  like  the  surroundings,  even  in- 
dependent of  the  villanous  odors  that  rose  from  the 
groggery,  and  those  that  were  engendered  in  the  apart^ 
ment  where  he  sat.  Slush  and  tar  were  agreeable  per- 
fumes, compared  with  those  which  assaulted  his  sense 
in  this  chamber ;  and  he  hoped  Mrs.  Barron  would 
humiliate  her  pride  to  an  extent  which  would  permit  him 
to  make  a  speedy  exit  from  the  house. 

Mrs.  Barron,  however,  appeared  not  to  be  in  a  hurry, 
and  Somers  waited  ten  minutes  by  his  watch,  which 
seemed  to  expand  into  a  full  hour  before  he  heard  a 
sound  to  disturb  the  monotony  of  the  chamber's  quiet. 
But  when  it  was  disturbed,  it  was  in  such  a  manner  that 
he  forgot  all  about  the  place  and  the  odors,  the  hour  and 
the  occasion,  and  even  the  poor  sailor,  who  had  so 
piteously  appealed  to  him  for  assistance. 

In  the  rear  of  the  room  in  which  Somers   sat,  thera 

was    a   door    communicating   with    another   apartment. 

The  house  was  old  and  out  of  repair ;  and  this  door, 

never  very  nicely  adjusted,  was  now  warped  and  thrown 

4 


38  BRAVE   OLD  SALT,  OR 

out  of  place,  so  that  great  cracks  yawned  arouud  the 
edges,  and  whatever  was  said  or  done  in  one  room,  of 
which  any  knowledge  could  be  obtained  bj  the  sense  of 
hearings  was  immediately  patent  to  the  occupants  of  the 
other.  Somers  neard  footsteps  in  the  rear  room,  though 
the  parties  appeared  not  to  have  come  up  the  stairs  by 
which  he  had  ascended.  The  rattling  of  chairs  and  of 
gia  «s  ware  next  saluted  his  ears ;  but  as  yet  Somers 
xiad  'ot  the  slightest  interest  in  the  business  of  the  ad- 
joining apartment,  and  only  wished  that  Mrs.  Barroa 
would  speedily  complete  the  preparations  for  his  re- 
ception. 

"  It's  dangerous  business,"  said  one  of  the  men  in  the 
rear  room  ;  which  remai'k  followed  a  smack  of  the  lips, 
and  a  rude  depositing  of  the  glass  on  the  table,  indicating 
that  the  speaker  had  just  swallowed  his  dram. 

Tlie  man  uttered  his  remark  in  a  loud  tone,  exhibiting 
a  strange  carelessness,  if  the  matter  in  hand  was  as  dan- 
gerous as  the  words  implied. 

*•'  I  know  it  is  dangerous,  Langdon,"  said  another  per- 
8on,  in  a  voice  which  instantly  riveted  the  attention  of 
the  listener. 

Somers  heard  the  voice.  It  startled  him,  and  he  had 
no  eye,  ear,  or  thought  for  anything  but  the  individual 
who  liad  last  spoken.  If  he  had  considered  his  position 
at  all,  it  would  only  have  been  to  wish  that  Mrs.  Barron 
might  be  as  proud  as  a  Chestnut  Street  belle,  in  order  to 


LIFE  ON  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  39 

afford  him  time  to  inform  himself  in  relation  to  tha 
6usiness  of  the  men  who  occupied  the  other  room. 

"  You  have  been  shut  up  in  Fort  Lafayette  once," 
cdded  the  first  speaker. 

"  In  a  good  cause  I  am  willing  to  go  again,"  replied 
the  voice  so  familiar  to  the  e^rs  of  Soraers.  "  I  lost 
eighty  thousand  dollars  in  a  venture  just  like  this.  I 
must  get  my  money  back." 

"  If  you  can,  Coles." 

Coles  !  But  Somers  did  not  need  to  have  his  identity 
confirmed  by  the  use  of  his  name.  He  knew  Coles's 
voice.  At  JS^ewport  he  had  lain  in  the  fore-sheets  of  the 
academy  boai,  and  heard  Coles  and  Phil  Kennedy  ma- 
ture their  plan  to  place  the  Snowden  on  the  ocean,  as  a 
Confederate  cruiser.  He  had  listened  to  the  whole  con- 
versation on  that  occasion,  and  the  knowledge  he  had 
thus  obtained  enabled  the  government  to  capture  the 
steamer,  and  defeat  the  intentions  of  the  conspirators. 

The  last  Somers  had  known  of  Coles,  he  was  a  pris- 
oner in  Fort  Lafayette.  Probably  he  had  been  released 
by  the  same  influence  which  set  Phil  Kennedy  at  liberty, 
and  permitted  him  to  continue  his  career  of  treason  and 
plunder.  Coles  had  lost  eighty  thousand  dollars  by  his 
speculation  in  the  Snowden,  for  one  half  of  Avhicli  Ken- 
nedy was  holden  to  him  ;  but  the  bond  had  been  effectu- 
ally cancelled  by  the  death  of  the  principal.  Colea 
•vanted  his  money  back.     It  was  a  very  natural  desire  ; 


40  BRAVE  OLD  HALT,   OR 

but  Somers  could  not  help  considering  it  as  a  very  ex. 
travagant  one,  under  present  circumstances. 

The  listener  could  not  help  regarding  it  as  a  most 
remarkable  thing,  that  he  should  again  be  within  hear- 
ing of  Coles,  engaged  in  plotting  treason.  Such  an 
event  might  happen  once  ;  but  that  it  should  occur  a 
second  time  was  absolutely  marvellous.  If  our  readers 
are  of  the  opinion  that  the  writer  is  too  severely  taxing 
their  credulity  in  imposing  the  situation  just  described 
upon  them,  he  begs  they  will  suspend  their  judgment  till 
the  sequel  justifies  him. 

It  Avas  so  strange  to  Somers,  that  he  could  not  help 
thinking  he  had  been  brought  there  by  some  mysterious 
power  to  listen  to  and  defeat  the  intentions  of  the  con- 
spirators. He  was  not  so  far  wrong  as  he  might  have 
been.  It  was  Coles  who  spoke;  it  was  Coles  who  had 
been  in  Fort  Lafayette  ;  and  it  was  Coles  who  had  lost 
eighty  thousand  dollars  by  the  Snowden.  All  these  things 
were  real,  and  Somers  had  no  suspicion  that  he  had  in- 
haled some  of  the  vile  compounds  in  the  bar  below, 
which  might  have  thrown  him  into  a  stupor  wherein  he 
dreamed  the  astounding  situation  in  which  he  was  actu- 
ally placed. 

Somers  listened,  and  when  Coles  had  mixed  and  drank 
his  dram,  he  spoke  again. 

"  I  can  and  will  get  my  money  back,"  said  he,  with 
an  oath  which  froze  the  blood  of  the  listener. 


LIFE  ON  THE   QUARTER  DECK.  41 

''  l)on't  believe  it,  Coles." 

"  You  know  me,  Langdou,"  added  the  plotter,  with  a 
peculiar  emphasis. 

Laugdon  acknowledged  that  he  did  know  him  ;  and  as 
there  was,  therefore,  no  need  of  an  introduction,  Coles 
proceeded.  '  " 

"  You  know  me,  Laugdon  ;  I  don't  make  any  mistakes 
myself." 

Perhaps  Laugdon  knew  it  ;  but  Somers  had  some 
doubts,  which,  however,  he  did  not  purpose  to  urge  on 
this  octasion. 

"  Phil  Kennedy  was  a  fool,"  added  Coles,  with  another 
oath.  "  He  spoiled  all  my  plans  before,  and  I  was  glad 
when  I  heard  that  he  was  killed,  though  I  lost  forty 
thousand  dollars  when  he  slipped  out.  lie  spilt  the  milk 
for  me." 

Somers  thought  not. 

"Phil  was  smart  about  some  things  ;  but  he  couldn't 
keep  a  hotel.  Why,  that  young  pup  that  finally  gave 
him  his  quietus,  twirled  him  around  his  fingers,  like  he 
had  been  a  school  girl." 

"  Thank  you,  Mr.  Coles  ;  but  I  shall  have  the  pleas- 
ure of  serving  you  iu  the  same  way  before  many  weeks," 
thought  Somers,  flattered  by  this  warm  and  disinterested 
tribute  to  his  strategetic  ability. 

"  You  mean  Somers  ?  "  said  Langdon. 

"  I  mean  Somers.  The  young  pup  isn't  twenty-one 
4* 


42  BRAVE  OLD  SALT,   OR 

yet,  b'lt  he  Is  the  smartest  man  in  the  old  navy,  by  all 
odds,  Avhether  the  others  be  admirals,  commodores,  lieu- 
tenants, or  what  not." 

"  That's  high  praise,  Coles." 

"  It's  true.  If  he  wasn't  an  imfernal  Yankee,  I  would 
drink  his  health  in  this  old  Bourbon.  Good  liquor  —  isn't 
it,  Langdon  ?  " 

"  Like  the  juice  of  a  diamond." 

"  I  would  give  more  for  this  Somers  than  I  would  for 
any  four  rear  admirals.  He  has  just  been  appointed  to 
the  Chatauqua  ;  but  he  will  be  in  command  of  some  small 
craft  down  South,  before  many  months,  doing  more  mis- 
chief to  us  than  any  four  first-class  steamers  in  the  ser- 
vice. He  is  as  brave  as  a  young  lion  ;  knows  a  ship 
from  keel  to  truck,  and  is  as  familiar  with  every  bolt  and 
pin  of  an  engine  as  though  he  had  been  a  machinist  all 
his  life." 

"Big  thing,  eh.  Coles?" 

"  If  I  had  this  Somers,  I  could  make  his  fortune  and 
mine  in  a  year,  and  have  a  million  surplus  besides." 

"  What  would  you  do  with  him?" 

"  I  would  give  him  the  command  of  my  steamer.  I 
would  rather  have  him  in  that  place  than  all  the  oM 
grannies  in  the  Confederate  navy." 

Somers  thought  Mr.  Coles  was  rather  extravagant. 
He  had  no  idea  that  Mr.  Ensign  Somers  was  one  tenth 
part  of  the  man  which  the  amiable  and  patronizing  Mr. 


LIFE  ON  TEE  QUARTER  DECK.  43 

Cole?  ieclared  he  was ;  and  he  was  impatient  to  have 
the  speaker  announce  his  intentions,  rather  than  waste 
any  more  time  in  such  unwarrantable  commendation. 

But  instead  of  telling  what  Vxe  intended  to  do,  he  con- 
fined himself  most  provokingly  to  what  he  had  failed  to 
do,  giving  Langdon  minute  details  of  the  capture  of  the 
Theban  and  the  Snowden,  dwelling  with  peculiar  empha- 
sis on  the  agency  of  Somers  in  the  work.  This  was  not 
interesting  to  the  listener,  but  something  better  soon 
followed. 


44  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 


CHAPTER    IV. 


THE      FRONT      CHAMBER. 


j/\  UT  I  am  going  to  get  back  the  money  I  lost,  and 
make  a  pile  besides,"  said  Coles,  when  he  had 
fully  detailed  the  events  attending  the  loss  of  the 
Snowden. 

"  If  you  can,"  added  the  sceptical  Langdon. 

"  Of  course  there  is  some  risk,  but  my  plans  are  so 
well  laid  that  a  failure  is  hardly  possible,"  continued 
Coles. 

"  It  was  possible  before," 

"  Nothing  but  an  accident  could  have  defeated  my 
plan  before.  Everything  worked  to  my  satisfaction, 
and  I  was  sure  of  success." 

"  But  you  failed." 

"  I  shall  not  fail  again." 

"  I  hope  not." 

"  Then  believe  I  shall  not,"  retorted  Coles,  apparently 
irritated  by  the  doubts  and  fears  of  his  companion. 

"  It  is  not  safe  to  believe  too  much,"  added  Langdon, 
with  a  kind  of  chuckle,  whose  force  Somers  could  hardly 
understand  ;   "  you  believed  too  much  before." 


LIFE    ON   THE    QUARTER    DECK.  45 

"  1  have  been  more  cautious  this  time,  and  I  "wouldn't 
give  anybody  five  per  cent,  to  insure  the  venture." 

Somers  was  becoming  very  impatient  to  hear  the  par- 
ticulars of  the  plan,  for  he  was  in  momentary  fear  of 
being  summoned  to  the  bedside  of  the  wounded  sailor. 
Coles  was  most  provokingly  deliberate  in  the  discussioJi 
of  his  treasonable  project ;  but  when  the  naval  officer 
considered  that  the  conversation  was  not  especially 
intended  for  him,  he  did  not  very  severely  censure  the 
conspirators  for  their  tardiness. 

"  I  don't  understand  what  your  plan  is,"  said  Langdon. 

"  Nor  I  either,"  was  Somers's  facetious  thought. 

"  I  will  tell  you  all  about  it.  Are  there  any  eara 
within  hail  of  us  ?  " 

"  Not  an  ear." 

"  Is  there  anybody  in  the  front  room?" 

«  No." 

"  Are  you  sure  ?  " 

"  The  old  woman  told  me  the  front  room  was  not 
occupied.  She  sent  in  there  an  officer  who  wanted  to 
see  a  sick  sailor  up  stairs ;  but  he  is  gone  before  this 
time." 

"  Perhaps  not ;  make  sure  on  this  point  before  I  open 
my  mouth.  1  have  no  idea  of  being  tripped  up  this 
time,"  said  the  cautious  Coles. 

"  I  will  look  into  the  front  room,"  added  Langdon, 
"  though  I  know  there  is  no  one  there." 


46  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

Soiners  was  rather  annoyed  at  this  demonstration  of 
prudence  ;  but  it  was  quite  natural,  and  he  was  all  the 
more  interested  to  hear  the  rest  of  the  conference.  Dis- 
missing for  a  moment  the  dignity  of  the  quarter  deck, 
he  dropped  hastily  on  the  floor,  and  crawled  u.:der  the 
bed,  concluding  that  Langdon,  who  was  already  fully 
satisfied  the  front  room  was  empty,  would  not  push  his 
investigations  to  an  unreasonable  extent.  But  he  had 
already  prepared  himself  for  the  worst,  and  if  his  pres- 
ence were  detected,  he  resolved  to  take  advantage  of  the 
high  estimation  in  which  he  was  held,  and,  for  his  coun- 
try's good,  proposed  to  offer  his  valuable  services  in 
getting  the  piratical  ship  to  sea.  He  could  thus  obtam 
the  secret,  and  defeat  the  purposes  of  the  conspirators. 

He  fortunately  avoided  the  necessity  of  resorting  to 
this  disagreeable  course,  for  Langdon  only  opened  the 
door,  and  glanced  into  the  chamber  he  occupied. 

"  The  room  is  empty,"  he  reported  to  Coles,  on  his 
return. 

"  There  are  cracks  around  this  door  big  enough  to 
crawl  through.  Somebody  may  go  into  that  room  with- 
out being  heard,  and  listen  to  all  I  say." 

'^  There  is  no  danger." 

"  But  there  is  danger ;  and  I  will  not  leave  the  ghost 
of  a  chance  to  be  discovered.  Langdon,  lock  that  front 
room,  and  put  the  key  in  your  pocket.  I  must  have 
things  perfectly  secure  before  I  open  my  mouth." 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  47 

Laagdon  complied  with  the  request  of  his  principal; 
the  door  was  locked,  aud  Somers,  without  much  doubt 
or  distrust,  fouad  his  retroi^t  cut  off  for  the  present. 
But,  at  last,  everything  was  fixed  to  the  entire  satisfac- 
tion of  Coles.  The  glasses  clinked  again,  indicating 
that  the  worthies  had  fortified  themselves  with  another 
dose  from  the  bottle.  Somers  crawled  out  from  uffder 
the  bed,  and  heedless  of  the  dust  which  whitened  his 
new  uniform,  placed  himself  in  a  comfortable  position, 
where  he  could  hear  all  that  was  said  by  the  confederates. 

Coles  now  told  his  story  in  a  straightforward,  direct 
manner,  and  Somers  made  memoranda  on  the  back  of  a 
letter  of  the  principal  facts  iu  the  statement-  The  arch 
conspirator  had  just  purchased  a  fine  iron  side- wheel 
steamer,  captured  on  the  blockade,  called  the  Ben  Nevis. 
She  was  about  four  hundred  tons  burden,  and  under 
favorable  circumstances  had  often  made  sixteen  knots  aa 
hour.  It  had  already  been  announced  in  the  newspapers 
that  the  Ben  Nevis  would  run  regularly  between  New 
York  and  St.  John,  Coles  intended  to  clear  her  properly 
for  her  destined  port,  where  she  could,  by  an  arrange- 
meut  already  made,  be  supplied  with  guns,  ammunition, 
and  a  crew.  She  was  U)  clear  regularly  for  New  York, 
but  instead  of  proceeding  there  was  to  commence  her 
piratical  course  on  the  ocean. 

This  was  the  plan  of  the  worthy  Mr.  Coles,  which 
LangdoQ   permitted    him   to    develop    without   a   siagl*' 


48  BliAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

interruptioB.  But  the  prudent,  or  rather  critical,  con- 
federate raised  mauy  objectious,  Avhich  were  discussed 
at  great  length  —  so  great  that  Somers,  possessed  of  the 
principal  facts,  would  have  left  the  room,  if  the  door  Lad 
not  been  locked,  and  escaped  from  the  house,  so  as  to 
avoid  the  possibility  of  being  discovered.  The  wounded 
sailor  could  be  attended  to  on  the  following  day. 

"  But  one  thing  we  lack,"  continued  Coles,  after  he 
had  removed  all  the  objections  of  his  companion. 

"  More  than  one,  I  fear,"  said  the  doubtful  Langdon. 

^'  "Well,  one  thing  more  than  ail  others." 

«  What  is  that  ?  " 

"  A  naval  officer  to  command  her." 

"  There  are  plenty  of  them." 

"  No  doubt  of  it ;  but  they  are  not  the  kind  I  want.  I 
need  a  man  who  will  play  into  my  hand,  as  well  as  grind 
up  the  Yankees.  I  have  no  idea  of  burning  all  the 
property  captured  by  my  vessel." 

'*  Wiiy  don't  you  take  command  yourself  ?  " 

"  I  have  other  business  to  do." 

"  There  are  scores  of  Confederate  naval  officers  ii* 
Canada  and  Ncav  Brunswick,"  suggested  Langdon. 

"I  know  them  all,  and  I  wouldn't  trust  them  to  com- 
mand a  mud-scow.  In  a  word,  Langdon,  I  want  this 
Somers,  and  I  must  have  liiin." 

*'  But  he  is  a  northern  Yankee.  He  would  sooner  cut 
bis  own  throat  than  engage  in  such  an  enterprise." 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER   DECK,  45 

"  Thank  you  for  that,"  said  Somers  to  himself.  "  If 
you  had  known  me  all  my  lifetime,  you  couldn't  have 
said  a  better  or  a  truer  thing  of  me." 

'*  I  know  he  is  actually  reeking  with  what  he  calls 
loyalty.  He  will  be  a  hard  subject,  but  I  think  he  caa 
be  brought  over." 

"  Perhaps  he  can."  " 

"  It  must  be  done  ;  that  is  the  view  we  must  take  of 
the  matter." 

"  It  will  be  easier  to  believe  it  than  to  do  it." 

"  This  is  to  be  your  share  of  the  enterprise." 

"Mine?" 

"  Yes." 

"  Well,  I  think  you  have  given  me  the  biggest  job  in 
the  work." 

"  It  can  be  done,"  said  Coles,  confidently.  "  Somers 
is  a  mere  boy  in  years,  though  he  is  smarter  and  knows 
more  than  any  man  in  the  navy  in  the  prime  of  life." 

"  I'm  afraid  he  is  too  smart,  and  knows  too  much  to 
be  caught  in  such  a  scrape." 

"  No  ;  he  is  young  and  ambitious.  Offer  him  a  com- 
mission as  a  commander  in  the  Confederate  navy,  to 
begin  with.  I  have  the  commission  duly  signed  by  the 
president  of  the  Confederacy,  countersigned  by  the  secre- 
tary of  the  navy,  with  a  blank  for  the  name  of  the  man 
who  receives  it,  which  I  am  authorized  to  fill  up  as  I 
think  best.  Somers  must  have  this  commission." 
5 


50  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  If  he  Avill  fake  it." 

"  Pie  will  take  it.  In  the  old  navy  he  is  nothing  but 
a  paltry  ensign.  He  has  been  kept  back.  His  merit 
has  been  ignored.  He  must  stand  out  of  the  way  for 
^.«imskulls  and  old  fogies.  Even  if  the  war  should  last 
ten  years  longer,  he  could  not  reach  the  rank,  in  that 
time,  which  I  now  tender  him.  He  will  at  once  be  offered 
the  command  of  a  fine  steamer,  and  may  walk  the  quar- 
ter deck  like  a  king.  He  is  ambitious,  and  if  you  ap- 
proach him  in  the  right  way,  you  can  win  him  over." 

Somers  listened  with  interest  to  this  precious  scheme. 
He  did  not  even  feel  complimented  by  the  exalted  opinion 
which  such  a  man  as  Coles  entertained  of  him.  It 
would  be  a  pleasant  thing  for  a  young  man  like  him  to 
be  a  commander,  and  have  a  fine  steamer ;  but  as  he 
could  regard  only  with  horror  the  idea  of  firing  a  gun  at 
a  vessel  bearing  the  stars  and  stripes,  he  was  not  even 
tempted  by  the  bait ;  and  he  turned  his  thoughts  from  it 
without  the  necessity  of  a  "  Get  thee  behind  me,  Satan," 
in  dismissing  it. 

"  Where  is  this  Somers  ?  "  asked  Langdon. 

"•  He  is  at  the  Continental,"  replied  Coles.  "  He  has 
been  appointed  fourth  lieutenant  of  the  Chatauqua ;  but 
■n'hat  a  position  for  a  man  of  his  abilities  !  He  is  better 
qualified  to  command  the  ship  than  the  numskull  to 
whom  she  has  been  given.  Waldron,  the  first  lieutenant, 
is  smart :  he  ought  to  be  commander ;  though  I  think 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER   DEVk:.  51 

Somers  did  all  the  hard  work  in  Doboy  Sourid,  for  which 
Waldron  got  the  credit,  and  for  which  he  was  promoted. 
Pillgrim,  the  second  lieutenant,  is  a  renegade  Virginian." 

"  We  had  some  hopes  of  him,  at  one  time,"  said 
Langdon. 

"  He  is  worse  than  a  Vermont  Yankee  now — has  been 
all  along,  for  that  matter.  I  tried  to  do  som<5lhing  with 
him,  but  he  talked  about  the  old  flag,  and  other  bosh  of 
that  sort." 

"  Let  him  go,"  added  Laugdon,  wich  becoming  resig- 
nation. 

"  Let  him  go  !  He  never  went.  He  has  always  been 
a  Yankee  at  heart.  If  the  navy  department  wouldn't 
trust  him,  it  was  their  fault,  not  his,  for  the  South  has 
not  had  a  worse  enemy  than  he  since  the  first  gun  was 
fired  at  Sumter.  He  is  none  the  better,  and  all  the 
more  dangerous  to  us,  because  he  gives  the  South  credit 
for  skill  and  bravery." 

Somers  was  pleased  to  hear  this  good  account  of  Lieu- 
tenant Pillgrim  ;  not  because  he  had  any  doubt  in  regard 
to  his  loyalty,  but  because  it  confirmed  the  good  impres- 
sion he  had  received  of  his  travelling  companion.  If 
the  conspirators  would  only  have  graciously  condescended 
to  resolve  the  doubts  in  his  mind  in  regard  to  some 
indefinite  previous  acquaintance  he  had  had  with  the 
second  lieutenant  of  the  Chatauqua,  he  would  have  been 
greatly  obliged  to  them.     They  did  not  do  this,  and  Son* 


52  £11  AVE    OLD    SALT,    OH 

ers  was  still  anuoyed  aud  puzzled  by  the  belief,  patent  t« 
his  consciousness,  that  he  had  somewhere  been  intimate 
with  the  "  renegade  Virginian,"  before  they  met  at  the 
house  of  Commodore  Portington. 

"  Now,  Langdon,  you  must  contrive  to  meet  Somers, 
sound  him,  and  bring  him  over.  You  must  be  cautious 
with  him.  Hs  is  a  young  man  of  good  morals  —  never 
drinks,  gambles,  or  goes  to  bad  places.  He  is  a  perfect 
gentleman  in  his  manners,  never  swears,  and  is  the  pet 
of  the  chaplains." 

"  I  think  I  can  manage  him." 

"  I  know  you  can ;  I  have  picked  you  out  of  a  hun- 
dred smart  fellows  for  this  work." 

"  How  will  it  do  for  me  to  put  on  a  white  choker,  and 
approach  him  as  a  doctor  of  divinity." 

"  You  can't  humbug  him." 

"  If  I  can't,  why  should  I  try?" 

"  If  you  should  pretend  to  be  a  clergyman,  and  he 
smelt  the  whiskey  in  your  breath,  he  would  set  you  down 
as  a  hypocrite  at  once." 

"  That's  so,"  thought  Somers. 

"  He  wouldn't  listen  to  a  preacher  who  drank  whis- 
key.    He  is  a  fanatic  on  these  points." 

Somers  could  not  imagine  where  Coles  had  obtained 
such  an  intimate  knowledge  of  his  views  and  principles ; 
though,  if  he  wanted  his  services  in  the  Confederate 
navy,  it  was  probable  he  had  made  diligent  inquiries  in 
regard  to  his  opinions  aud  habits. 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  St 

"  I  think  I  could  blind  him  as  a  D.D.,  but  I  am  not 

Btfpnuous." 

"  You  had  better  get  acquainted  with  him  in  some 
other  capacity." 

"  As  you  please  ;  I  will  think  over  the  matter,  and  be 
ready  to  make  a  strike  to-morrow  morning.  What  time 
is  it?" 

"  Quarter  past  ten." 

"  So  late  !     I  must  be  off  at  once." 

Somers  heard  the  clatter  of  glass-ware  again,  as  the 
conspirators  took  the  parting  libation.  He  listened  to 
their  retreating  footsteps,  heard  Langdon  return  the  key, 
and  then  began  to  wonder  what  had  become  of  Tom 
Barron  and  his  mother.  He  had  waited  more  than  two 
hours  in  the  front  room,  and  no  summons  had  come  for 
him  to  see  the  wounded  sailor.  It  was  very  singular,  to 
say  the  least ;  but  while  he  was  deliberating  on  the  point, 
a  hand  was  placed  on  the  door  of  the  chamber.  The 
key  turned,  and  a  person  entered. 

Now,  Somers  had  a  very  strong  objection  to  being 
seen  after  what  had  occurred.  If  discovered  in  this 
room,  Coles  might  see  him,  and  finding  his  plans  dis^ 
covered,  might  change  them  so  as  to  defeat  the  ends  of 
justice.  And  the  listener  felt  that,  if  detected  in  this 
apartment  by  the  conspirators,  they  would  not  scruple  to 
take  his  life  in  order  to  save  themselves  and  their 
schemes. 

6* 


54  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OB 

For  these  reasons  Somers  decided  not  to  be  seen. 
The  person  ■vvho  entered  the  room  was  a  rough,  sea- 
faring man,  and  evidently  intended  to  sleep  there,  -whlc-h 
Somers  was  entirely  willing  he  should  do,  it  it  could  be 
done  without  imperilling  his  personal  safety.  He  there- 
fore crawled  under  the  bed  again,  as  quietly  as  possible. 
Unfortunately  it  was  not  quietly  enough  to  escape  the 
observation  of  the  lodger,  who,  not  being  of  the  timid  sort, 
seized  him  by  the  leg,  dragged  him  out,  and  with  a 
volley  of  marine  oaths,  began  to  kick  him  with  his  heavy 
boot. 

Somers  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  attempted  to  explain  ; 
but  the  indignant  seaman  struck  him  a  heavy  blow  on 
the  head,  which  felled  him  senseless  on  the  floor. 


LIfE    ON   THE    QUAnTEU   DECK  55 


CHAPTER    V. 

SOMERS    COMES    TO    HIS    SENSES. 

(A^|fV//^  HEN  Somers  opened  his  eyes,  about  half  an 
hour  after  the  striking  event  just  narrated, 
and  became  conscious  that  he  was  still  in 
the  land  of  the  living,  he  was  lying  on  the  bed  in  his 
chamber  at  the  Continental.  By  his  side  stood  Lieuten- 
ant Pillgrim  and  a  sui'geon. 

"  Where  am  I?"  asked  the  young  officer,  using  the 
original  expression  made  and  provided  for  occasions  of 
this  kind. 

"  You  are  here,  my  dear  fellow,"  replied  the  lieutenant. 

This  valuable  information  seemed  to  afford  the  injured 
party  a  great  deal  of  consolation,  for  he  looked  around 
the  apartment,  not  wildly,  as  he  would  have  done  if  this 
book  were  a  novel,  but  with  a  look  of  perplexity  and 
dissatisfaction.  As  Mr.  Ensign  Somers  was  eminently 
a  fighting  man  on  all  proper  occasions,  he  probably  felt 
displeased  with  himself  to  think  he  had  given  the  stal- 
wart seaman  so  easy  a  victory  ;  for  he  distinctly  remem- 
bered the  affair  in  which  he  had  been  so  rudely  treated, 


56  IJHAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

though  there  was  a  great  gulf  between  the  past  and  the 
present  in  his  recollection, 

"  How  do  you  feel,  Mr.  Soraers?  "  asked  the  surgeon. 

"  The  fact  that  I  feel  at  all  is  quite  enough  for  me  at 
the  present  time,  without  going  into  the  question  as  to 
how  I  feel,"  replied  the  patient,  with  a  sickly  smile.  "I 
don't  exactly  know  how  I  do  feel.  My  ideas  are  rather 
confused." 

"  I  should  think  they  might  be,"  added  the  surgeon. 
"  You  have  had  a  hard  rap  on  the  head." 

"  So  I  should  judge,  for  my  brain  is  rather  muddled." 

"  Does  your  head  pain  you  ?  "  asked  the  medical  gen- 
tleman, placing  his  hand  on  the  injured  part. 

"  It  does  not  exactly  pain  me,  but  it  feels  rather  sore. 
I  think  I  will  get  up,  and  see  how  that  affects  me." 

Somers  got  up,  and  immediately  came  to  the  conclu- 
sion that  he  was  not  very  badly  damaged  ;  and  the  sur- 
geon was  happy  to  corroborate  his  opinion.  With  the 
exception  of  a  soreness  over  the  left  temple,  he  felt  pretty 
well.  The  blow  from  the  iron  fist  of  the  burly  seaman 
had  stunned  him  ;  and  the  kicks  received  from  the  big 
boots  of  the  assaJlant  had  produccl  sundry  black  and 
blue  places  on  his  body,  which  a  man  not  accustomed  to 
hard  knocks  might  have  looked  upon  with  suspicion,  but 
to  which  Somers  paid  no  attention. 

Tlie  surgeon  had  carefully  examined  him  before  his 
consciousness  returned,  and  was  fully  satisfied  that  he 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  5> 

had  uot  been  seriously  injured.  Somers  walked  across 
the  room  two  or  three  times,  and  bathed  his  head  with 
cold  water,  which  in  a  great  measure  restored  the  con- 
sistency of  his  ideas.  He  felt  a  little  sore,  but  he  soon 
became  as  chipper  and  as  cheerful  as  an  early  robin. 
His  first  thought  was,  that  he  had  escaped  being  mur--, 
dered,  and  he  was  devoutly  thankful  to  God  for  the 
mercy  which  had  again  spared  his  life. 

The  doctor,  after  giving  him  some  directions  in  regard 
to  his  head,  and  the  black  and  blue  spots  on  his  body, 
left  the  room.  He  was  a  naval  surgeon,  a  guest  in  the 
hotel,  and  promised  to  see  his  patient  again  in  the 
morning. 

"  How  do  you  feel,  Somers  ?  "  asked  Lieutenant  Pill- 
grim,  who  sat  on  the  bed,  gazing  with  interest,  not  un- 
mixed with  anxiety,  at  his  companion. 

"  I  feel  pretty  well,  considering  the  hard  rap  I  got  on 
the  head."  t 

"  You  have  a  hard  head,  Somers." 

"Why  so?" 

"  If  you  had  not,  you  Avould  have  been  a  dead  man. 
The  fellow  pounded  you  with  his  fist,  which  is  about  a3 
heavy  as  an  anvil,  and  kicked  you  with  his  boots,  which 
are  large  enough  and  stout  enough  to  make  two  very 
respectable  gunboats." 

"  Things  are  rather  mixed  in  my  mind,"  added  Som-  - 
crs,  rubbing  his  head    again,   as   if  to   explain    how  a 


58  BRAVE    OLD    SALT.    OR 

Btrong-minded  young  maa  like  himself  should  be  troubled 
ia  his  upper  works. 

"  I  am  not  surprised  at  that.  You  have  remained  in- 
sensible more  than  half  an  hour.  T  was  afraid,  before 
the  surgeon  saw  you,  that  your  pipe  was  out,  and  you  had 
become  a  D.D.  Avithout  taking  orders." 

"  I  think  I  had  a  narrow  escape.  What  a  tiger  the 
fello  ^  was  that  pitched  into  me  !  " 

"  It  was  all  a  mistake  on  his  part." 

"  Perhaps  it  was ;  but  that  don't  make  my  head  feel 
any  better.     Who  is  he,  and  what  is  he?" 

"  He  is  the  captain  of  a  coaster.  He  had  consider- 
able money  in  his  pocket,  and  he  thought  you  had  con- 
cealed yourself  in  his  room  for  the  purpose  of  robbing 
him.  When  he  saw  that  you  were  an  officer  in  the 
navy,  he  was  overwhelmed  with  confusion,  and  really 
felt  very  bad  about  it." 

"  I  don't  know  that  I  blame  him  for  what  he  did, 
under  the  circumstances.  His  conclusion  was  not  a  very 
unnatural  one.  I  don't  exactly  comprehend  how  I  hap- 
pen to  be  in  the  Continental  House,  after  these  stunning 
events." 

"  Don't  you?"  said  Pillgrim,  with  a  smile. 

"  If  I  had  been  in  condition  to  expect  anything,  I 
fibould  naturally  have  expected  to  find  myself,  on  coming 
♦"  my  senses,  in  the  low  groggery  where  I  received  the 
blows." 


LIFE    OJSr    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  &9 

"  That  is  very  easily  accounted  for.  I  happened  to  be 
at  the  house  when  you  were  struck  down.  I  was  in  the 
lower  room,  and  heard  the  row.  With  others  I  went  up 
to  see  what  the  matter  was.  I  had  a  carriage  in  the 
street,  and  when  I  recognized  you,  the  captain  of  the 
coaster,  at  my  request,  took  you  up  in  his  arms  like  a 
baby,  .arried  you  down  into  the  street,  and  put  you  into 
the  vehicle,  and  you  were  brought  here.  I  presume  this 
will  fill  up  the  entire  gap  in  your  recollection." 

"  It  is  all  as  clear  as  mud  now,"  laughed  Somers. 
"  Mr.  Pillgrim,  I  am  very  grateful  to  you  for  the  kind 
offices  you  rendered  me." 

"  Don't  mention  it,  my  dear  fellow.  I  should  have 
been  worse  than  a  brute  if  I  had  done  any  less  than  I 
did." 

"  That  may  be  ;  but  my  gratitude  is  none  the  less  ear- 
nest on  that  account.  Those  are  villanous  people  in  that 
house,  and  I  might  have  been  butchered  and  cut  up,  if  I 
hud  been  left  there." 

"  I  think  not.  The  captain  of  the  coaster  is  evidently 
en  honest  man  ;  at  any  rate  he  is  very  sorry  for  what  he 
did.  But,  Somers,  my  dear  fellow,  —  you  will  pardon 
me  if  I  seem  impertinent,  —  how  did  you  happen  to  be  in 
such  a  place?"  continued  Mr.  Pillgrim,  with  a  certain 
affectation  of  slyness  in  his  look,  as  though  he  had 
caught  the  exemplary  young  man  in  a  house  where  he 
would  not  have  been  willing  to  be  seen. 


60  BJiAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

''  How  did  you  happen  to  be  there  ? "  demanded 
feomers. 

"  I  don't  profess  to  be  a  very  proper  person.  I  take 
my  whiskey  when  I  want  it." 

"  So  do  I ;  and  the  only  diiference  between  us  is,  that 
1  never  happen  to  Avaut  it." 

"  I  did  not  go  into  that  house  for  my  whiskey,  though. 
It  is  rather  strange  that  we  should  both  happen  into  such 
a  place  at  the  same  time." 

"  Rather  strange." 

"  But  I  will  tell  you  why  I  was  there,"  added  Pill- 
grim.  "  I  received  a  letter  from  a  wounded  sailor,  ask- 
ing me  to  call  upon  him,  and  assist  him  in  obtaining  a 
pension." 

"  Did  you,  indeed  !  "  exclaimed  Somers,  amazed  at  this 
explanation.  "  You  have  also  told  how  I  happened  to 
be  there." 

"  How  was  that  ?  " 

"  I  received  just  such  a  letter  as  that  you  describe," 
replied  Somers,  taking  the  dirty  epistle  from  his  pocket, 
which  he  opened  and  exhibited  to  his  brother  officer. 

"The  handwriting  is  the  same,  and  the  substance  of 
both  letters  is  essentially  the  same.  That's  odd  —  isn't 
it?"  continued  the  lieutenant,  as  he  drew  the  epistle  he 
nad  received  from  his  pocket.  "  I  got  mine  when  I 
came  in,  about  ten  o'clock  ;  and  thinking  I  might  go  to 
New  York  in  the  morning  for  a  couple  of  days,  I  thought 
I  would  attend  to  the  matter  at  once." 


LIFE    ON    THE    QVARTEIt    DECK.  61 

Somers  took  the  letters,  and  compared  them.  They 
were  written  by  the  same  person,  on  the  same  kind  of 
paper,  and  were  both  mailed  on  the  same  day, 

"  This  looks  rather  suspicious  to  me."  added  Pillgrim, 
reflecting  on  the  circumstances. 

"■  Why  suspicious?" 

"Why  should  both  of  us  have  been  called?  Tom 
Barron  claims  to  have  served  with  me,  as  he  did  with 
you.     I  don't  remember  any  such  person." 

"  Neither  do  I." 

"  Did  you  find  out  whether  there  was  any  such  person 
at  the  house  as  Tom  Barron  ?  " 

"  The  woman  at  the  bar  told  me  there  was  a  wounded 
sailor  there  whose  description  answea-ed  to  that  contained 
in  the  letter." 

"  So  she  told  me.     Did  you  see  him?" 

"No." 

"  I  did  not ;  and  between  you  and  me,  I  don't  believe 
there  is  any  Tom  Barron  there,  or  anywhere  else.  This 
business  must  be  investigated,"  said  Pillgrim,  very  de- 
cidedly. 

Somers  did  not  wish  it  to  be  investigated.  He  was 
utterly  opposed  to  an  investigation,  for  he  was  fearful,  if 
the  matter  should  be  "  ventilated,"  that  more  Avould  be 
shown  than  he  was  willing  to  have  exliibited  at  the  pres- 
ent time  ;  in  other  words.  Coles  would  find  out  that  his  en- 
terprising scheme  had  been  exposed  to  a  third  person. 
6 


62  ^RAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  I  don't  care  to  be  mixed  up  in  any  revelations  of 
low  life,  Mr.  Pillgrira  ;  and,  as  I  have  lost  nothing,  and 
the  hard  knocks  I  received  were  given  under  a  mista,ke, 
I  think  I  would  rather  let  the  matter  rest  just  where 
it  itf." 

"  Very  natural  for  a  young  man  of  your  styl*," 
laughed  the  lieutenant,  "You  are  afraid  the  people  o£ 
Pinchbrook  will  read  in  the  papers  that  Mr.  Somers  has 
been  in  bad  places." 

"  They  might  put  a  Avrong  construction  on  the  case," 
replied  Somers,  willing  to  have  his  reasons  for  avoiding 
an  investigation  as  strong  as  possible. 

"  I  can  hand  these  letters  over  to  the  police,  and  let 
the  officers  inquire  into  the  matter,"  added  Pillgrim. 
"  They  need  not  call  any  names." 

"  I  would  rather  not  stir  up  the  dirty  pool.  Besides, 
Tom  Barron  and  his  mother  may  be  in  the  house,  after 
all.     There  is  no  evidence  to  the  contrary.' 

"  I  shall  satisfy  myself  on  that  point  by  another  visit 
to  the  house.  If  I  find  there  is  such  a  person  there,  I 
shall  be  satisfied." 

"  That  will  be  the  better  way." 

Just  then  it  occurred  to  Somers  that  Coles  might  have 
seen  him  while  he  was  insensible,  and  was  already  aware 
iiat  his  scheme  had  miscarried.  lie  questioned  Pill- 
grim,  therefore,  in  regard  to  tlie  persons  in  the  bar-room 
when  he  entered.     From  the  answers  received  he  satia- 


LIFE    Oyr    TEE    QUARTER   DECK.  63 

ficil  himselt"  that  the  conspirators  had  departed  before 
the  *•  row  "  iu  the  front  room  occurred. 

"  Now,  Somers,  I  am  going  down  to  that  house  again 
before  I  sleep,"  said  the  lieutenant.  "  This  time,  I  shall 
take  my  revolver.     Will  you  go  with  me  ?  " 

'■  I  don't  feel  exactly  able  to  go  out  again  to-night» 
My  head  doesn't  feel  just  right,"  replied  Somers,  who, 
however,  had  other  reasons  for  keeping  his  room,  the 
principal  of  which  was  the  fear  that  he  might  meet  Coles 
there,  and  that,  by  some  accident,  his  presence  in  the 
front  room  during  the  conference  might  be  disclosed. 

"  I  think  you  are  right,  Somers.  You  had  better 
keep  still  to-night,"  said  Pillgrim.  "  Shall  I  send  you 
up  anything?  " 

"  Thank  you  ;   I  don't  need  anything." 

"  A  glass  of  Bourbon  whiskey  would  do  you  good. 
It  would  quiet  your  nerves,  and  put  you  to. sleep." 

"  Perhaps  it  would,  but  I  shall  lie  awake  on  thos* 
terms." 

"  Don't  be  bigoted,  my  dear  fellow.  Of  course  I  pre- 
scribe the  whiskey  as  a  medicine." 

"  You  are  no  surgeon." 

"  It  would  quiet  your  nerves." 

"  Let  them  kick,  if  nothing  but  whiskey  will  quiet 
them,"  laughed  Somers.  "  Seriously,  Mr.  J'^illgrim,  I 
am  very  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  kindness,  and  for 
your  interest  in  me  ;  but  I  think  I  shall  be  better  without 
the  whiskey  than  with  it." 


64  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  As  you  please,  Somers.  If  you  are  up  when  I  re- 
turn, I  will  tell  you  what  I  find  at  the  house." 
"  Thank  you  ;  I  will  leave  my  door  unfastened." 
Mr.  PilJgrim  left  the  room  to  make  his  perilous  exam- 
ination of  the  locality  of  his  friend's  misfortunes.  Som- 
ers walked  the  apartment,  nervous  and  excited,  consid- 
ering the  events  of  the  evening.  He  then  seated  himself, 
and  carefully  wrote  out  the  statement  of  Coles  in  regard 
to  the  Ben  Nevis,  and  the  method  by  which  he  purposed 
to  operate  in  getting  her  to  sea  as  a  Confederate  cruiser, 
with  extended  memoranda  of  all  the  conversation  to 
which  he  had  listened.  Before  he  had  finished  this  task, 
Lieutenant  Pillgrira  returned. 

"  It  is  all  right,"  said  he,  as  he  entered  the  room. 
"What's  all  right?" 

"  There   is  such  a  person   as  Thomas  Barron.     Th« 
facts  contained  in  the  letters  are  essentially  true." 

"Then  no  investigation  is  necessary,"  replied  Somers, 
with  a  feeling  of  relief. 

"  None  whatever ;  to-morrow  I  will  see  that  the  poor 
fellow  is  sent  to  the  hospital,  and  his  mother  provided  for." 
Mr.  Pillgrim,  after  again  recommending  a  glass  of 
whiskey,  took  his  leave,  and  Somers  finished  his  paper, 
lie  went  to  bed,  and  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  he  had 
drank  no  whiskey,  his  nerves  were  quiet,  and  he  dropped 
asleep  like  a  good  Christian,  with  a  prayer  in  his  heart 
tor  the  "  loved  ones  at  home  "  and  elsewhere. 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER   DECK.  65 

The  next  morning,  though  he  was  still  quite  sore,  and 
his  head  felt  heavier  than  usual,  he  was  in  much  better 
condition,  physically,  than  could  have  been  expected. 
After  breakfast,  as  he  sat  in  the  parlor  of  the  hotel,  he 
was  accosted  by  a  gentleman  in  blue  clothes,  with  a  very 
small  cap  on  his  head. 

"  An  otRcer  of  the  navy,  I  perceive,"  said  the  stranger, 
courteously. 

"  How  are  you,  Langdon  ?  "  was  the  thought,  but  not 
the  reply,  of  Somers. 
6* 


66  BRAVE   OLD  SALT.   OB 


CHAPTER    VI. 

MEUTENANT   WTNKOOP,   R.    N. 

/^^fc^HE  gentlemanly  individual  who  addressed  Sora 
/|  ers  wore  the  uniform  of  an  English  naval  officer. 
\^Jy  By  easy  and  gentle  approaches,  he  proceeded  to 
make  himself  very  agreeable.  He  was  lavish  in  his 
praise  of  the  achievements  of  the  "  American  navy,"  and 
was  sure  that  no  nation  on  the  face  of  the  globe  had  ever 
displayed  such  skill  and  energy  in  creating  a  war  marine. 
Somers  listened  patiently  to  this  eloquent  and  just  tribute 
to  the  enterprise  of  his  country ;  and  if  he  had  not  sus- 
pected that  the  enthusiastic  speaker  was  playing  an  as- 
sumed character,  he  would  have  ventured  to  suggest  that 
the  position  of  John  Bull  was  rather  equivocal ;  that  a 
little  less  admiration,  and  a  little  more  genuine  sympathy, 
would  be  more  acceptable. 

"  "We  sailors  belong  to  the  same  fraternity  all  over  the 
world,"  said  the  pretended  Englishman.  "  There  is 
something  in  sailors  which  draws  them  together.  I 
never  meet  one  without  desiring  to  know  him  better. 
Allow  me  to  present  you  my  card,  and  beg  the  favor  of 
yours  in  return." 


LIFE   ON   THE    QUARTER   DECK.  6? 

He  handed  his  card  to  Somers,  who  read  upon  it  the 
name  of  "  Lieutenant  Wynkoop,  R.  N."  It  was  elabo- 
rately engraved,  and  our  officer  began  to  have  some  doubts 
in  regard  to  his  new-found  acquaintance,  for  the  card 
could  hardly  have  been  got  up  since  the  interview  of  the 
preceding  evening.  This  gentleman  might  not  be  Langr 
don,  after  all ;  but  whether  he  was  or  not,  it  was  proper 
to  treat  him  with  respect  and  consideration.  Somers 
wrote  his  name  on  a  blank  card,  and  gave  it  to  him. 

"  Thank  you,  Mr.  Somers  :  here  is  my  hand,"  said 
Lieutenant  Wynkoop,  when  he  had  read  the  name.  "  I 
am  happy  to  make  your  acquaintance." 

Somers  took  the  offered  hand,  and  made  a  courteous 
reply,  to  the  salutations  of  the  other. 

"  May  I  beg  the  favor  of  your  company  to  dinner  with 
me  in  my  private  parlor  to-day  ? "  continued  Mr.  Wyn- 
koop. "  I  have  a  couple  of  bottles  of  fine  old  sherry, 
which  have  twice  made  the  voyage  to  India,  sent  to  me 
by  an  esteemed  American  friend  residing  in  this  city." 

"  Thank  you,  Mr.  Wynkoop.  To  the  dinner  I  have 
not  the  slightest  objection  ;  to  the  wine  I  have  ;  and  I'm 
afraid  you  must  reserve  it  for  some  one  who  will  appre- 
ciate it  more  highly  than  I  can.     I  never  drink  wine." 

"Ah,  indeed?"  said  the  presumed  representative  of 
ihe  royal  navy,  as  he  adjusted  an  eye-glass  to  his  left  eye, 
keeping  it  in  position  by  contracting  the  muscles  above 
and  below  the  visual  member,  which  gave   a  peculiar 


68  BIIAVE    OLD    SALT,    OB 

squint  to  his  expression,  very  trying  to  the  risibles  ot 
his  auditor. 

"  I  should  be  happy  to  dine  with  you,  but  I  don't  drink 
tvine,"  repeated  Somers,  in  good-natured  but  rather  bluff 
tones,  for  he  did  not  wish  to  be  understood  as  apologiz- 
ing for  his  total  abstinence  principles. 

"  I  should  be  glad  to  meet  you  in  my  private  parlor, 
say,  at  four  o'clock,  whether  you  drink  wine  or  not,  Mr. 
Somers." 

"  Four  o'clock  ?  " 

"  It's  rar-ther  early,  I  know.  If  you  prefer  five,  say 
the  word,"  drawled  Mr.  Wynkoop. 

"  I  should  say  that  would  be  nearer  supper  time  than 
four,"  replied  Somers,  who  had  lately  been  in  the  habit 
of  dining  at  twelve  in  Pinchbrook. 

"  Earlier  if  you  please,  then." 

"  Any  hour  that  is  convenient  for  you  will  suit  me." 

"  Let  it  be  four,  then.  But  I  must  acknowledge,  Mr. 
Somers,  I  am  not  entirely  unselfish  in  desiring  to  make 
your  acquaintance.  The  operations  of  the  American 
navy  have  astonished  me,  and  I  wish  to  know  more  about 
it.  I  lauded  in  New  York  only  a  few  days  since,  and  I 
improve  every  opportunity  to  make  the  acquaintance  of 
American  naval  officers.  I  have  not  yet  visited  one  of 
your  dock  yards." 

"  I  am  going  over  to  look  at  my  ship  this  forenoon, 
and  I  should  be  delighted  with  your  company." 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  69 

"  Thank  you  !  thank  you  !  "  exclaimed  Mr.  "Wynkoop. 
"  I  shall  be  under  great  obligations  to  you  for  the  favor." 

They  went  to  the  navy  yard,  visited  the  Chatauqua, 
and  other  vessels  of  war  fitting  out  there.  Mr.  Wyn- 
koop asked  a  thousand  questions  about  ships,  engines, 
and  armaments ;  and  one  could  hardly  help  regarding 
him  as  the  most  enthusiastic  admirer  of  naval  architec- 
ture. Though  the  gentleman  spoke  in  affected  tones, 
Somers  had  recognized  the  voice  of  Langdon.  This  was 
the  person,  without  a  doubt,  who  was  to  lure  him  into 
the  Confederate  navy,  who  was  to  crown  his  aspirations 
with  a  commander's  commission,  and  reward  his  infi- 
delity with  the  command  of  a  fine  steamer. 

Somers  was  very  impatient  for  the  inquiring  member 
of  the  royal  navy  to  make  his  proposition  ;  for,  strange  as 
it  may  seem  to  the  loyal  reader,  he  had  fully  resolved  to 
accept  the  brilliant  offers  he  expected  to  receive  ;  to  per- 
mit Coles  to  place  the  name  of  "  John  Somers  "  in  the 
blank  of  the  commander's  commission  which  he  had  iu 
his  possession  ;  and  even  to  take  his  place  on  the  quarter 
deck  of  the  Ben  Nevis,  if  it  became  necessary  to  carry 
proceedings  to  that  extent. 

But  Lieutenant  Wynkoop  did  not  even  allude  to  the 
Confederate  navy,  or  to  the  Ben  Nevis,  and  did  not  even 
attempt  to  sound  the  loyalty  of  his  companion.  Somen 
concluded  at  last  that  this  matter  was  reserved  for  the 
after-dinner   conversation ;    and  as    he   could  afibrd   to 


70  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OH 

wait,  he  continued  to  give  his  friend  every  facility  for 
prosecuting  his  inquiries  into  the  secret  of  the  marvel- 
lous success  of  the  *■'  American  navy." 

After  writing  out  his  statement  of  Coles's  plans,  he  had 
carefully  and  prayerfully  considered  his  duty  in  relation 
to  the  startling  information  he  had  thus  accidentally  ob- 
tained. Of  course  he  had  no  doubt  as  to  whsit  he  should 
do.  He  must  be  sure  that  the  Ben  Nevis  was  handed 
over  to  the  government ;  that  Coles  and  Langdon  were  put 
in  close  quarters.  He  only  inquired  how  this  should  be 
done.  Though  the  Snowden  and  the  Thebaa  had  been 
captured  in  the  former  instance,  both  Kennedy  and  Coles 
had  escaped  punishment,  and  one  of  them  was  again  en- 
gaged in  the  work  of  pulling  down  the  government. 

If  he  gave  information  at  the  present  stage  of  the  con- 
spiracy, his  plans  might  be  defeated.  Though  Coles  had 
mentioned  no  names,  it  was  more  than  probable  that  he 
was  aided  and  abetted  in  his  treasonable  projects  by  other 
persons.  There  were  traitors  in  Boston,  New  York,  and 
Philadelphia,  men  of  wealth  and  influence,  occupying 
high  positions  in  society,  who  were  engaged  in  just  such 
enterprises  as  that  which  had  been  revealed  to  the  young 
naval  officer. 

Somers  felt,  therefore,  that  a  premature  'ixposnre 
might  ruin  himself  without  overthrowing  the  conspir- 
ators. A  word  from  one  of  these  influential  men  might 
lay  hi.a  on  the  shelf,  to  say  the  least,  and  remove  all 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  71 

suspicion  from  the  guilty  ones.  He  must  proceed  with  the 
utmost  caution,  both  for  his  own  safety  and  the  success 
of  his  enterprise. 

Besides,  he  felt  that,  if  he  could  get  "  inside  of  the 
ring,"  he  should  find  out  who  the  great  men  were  that 
were  striking  at  the  heart  of  the  nation  in  the  dark.  By 
obtaining  the  confidence  of  the  conspirators,  he  could  the 
more  easily  baffle  them,  and  do  the  country  a  greater 
service  than  he  could  render  on  the  quarter  deck  of  the 
Chatauqua. 

After  an  earnest  and  careful  consideration  of  the  whole 
matter,  he  concluded  that  his  present  duty  was  to  pay 
out  rope  enough  to  permit  Coles  and  his  guilty  associates 
to  hang  themselves.  For  this  purpose,  he  was  prepared 
to  receive  Langdon  with  open  arms,  to  accept  the  com- 
mission intended  for  him,  and  to  enter  into  the  secret 
councils  of  his  country's  bitterest  enemies. 

Somers,  pure  and  patriotic  in  his  motives,  did  not  for 
a  moment  consider  that  he  exposed  himself  to  any  risk 
in  thus  entering  the  councils  of  the  wicked,  or  even  in 
taking  a  commission  in  the  service  of  the  enemy.  He 
did  not  intend  to  aid  or  abet  in  the  treason  of  the  traitors, 
and  he  did  not  think  what  might  be  the  result  if  a  rebel 
commission  were  found  upon  his  person.  Ha  might  be 
killed  in  battle  with  this  damning  document  in  his  pocket. 
If  any  of  the  conspirators  were  caught,  they  might  de- 
nounce him  as  one  of  their  number.     He   did  not  think 


72  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

of  these  things.     He  was  ambitious  to  serve  his  treason- 
riddea  country,  and  he  forgot  all  about  himself. 

It  was  half  past  three  when  Somers  and  Wynkoop 
returned  to  the  hotel  from  their  visit  to  the  navy  yard. 
Langdon  had  evidently  been  in  England,  for  he  insisted 
upon  calling  it  a  "  dock  yard."  They  separated  to  dress 
for  dinner,  as  the  courtly  John  Bull  expressed  it.  At 
four  they  met  again  in  the  private  parlor,  where  an 
elegant  dinner  was  served,  and  Avhere  Mr.  Wynkoop 
sipped  his  sherry  "  which  had  twice  made  the  voyage  to 
the  East  Indies,"  though  it  probably  came  from  the 
cellar  of  the  hotel.  When  the  coffee  had  been  brought 
in,  and  the  waiters  had  retired,  the  representative  of  the 
royal  navy  lighted  his  cigar,  and  began,  in  a  very  moder- 
ate way,  to  express  some  slight  admiration  for  the  skill 
and  prowess  of  the  rebels.  '  Somers  helped  him  along 
until  he  became  a  thorough  rebel. 

"  With  all  my  admiration  for  the  American  navy,  Mr. 
Somers,  I  find  there  is  a  great  deal  of  injustice  towards 
the  officers,  especially  the  younger  ones,"  continued  Mr. 
Wynkoop,  after  he  had  sufficiently  indicated  his  sympathy 
for  the  "noble  and  gallant  people  who  were  struggling 
against  such  hodds  in  the  South."  —  The  lieutenant  occa- 
sionally pressed  an  h  into  use  where  it  was  not  needed  — 
probably  to  be  entirely  consistent  with  himself. 

"  That's  true  ;  and  I  have  suffered  from  it  myself," 
replied  Somers,  determined  that   his   companion  should 


LIFE  ON  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  73 

want  no  inducement  to  make  his  proposition  as  soon  as 
he  was  ready. 

"  I  don't  doubt  it,  Mr.  Somers  ;  "  and  Mr.  "Wynkoop 
stated  some  instances  which  had  come  to  his  knowledge. 

Somers  then  gave  a  list  of  his  own  imaginary  griev- 
ances, and  professed  to  be  greatly  dissatisfied  with  his 
present  position  and  prospects. 

"  I  think  you  would  do  better  in  the  Confederate 
navy,"  said  the  lieutenant,  warmly. 

"  Perhaps  I  should." 

"  Whichever  side  you  fight  for,  you  fight  for  your  own 
country," 

"  That's  true." 

"  When  the  South  wins,  —  as  win  she  will,  —  all  who 
fought  against  her,  will  be  like  prophets  in  their  owd 
country  —  without  honor.  In  less  than  two  mouths  thf 
independence  of  the  Confederate  States  will  be  ackuowl' 
edged  by  England  and  France.     I  happen  to  know  this." 

"  It  would  not  surprise  me." 

"  My  uncle,  the  Earl  of —  never  mind  ;  I  won't  men- 
tion his  name  —  my  uncle,  who  is  an  intimate  friend  of 
Palmerston,  told  me  so." 

Somers  was  rather  glad  to  hear  it,  for  it  would  bring 
the  desolating  war  to  a  close.  Mr.  Wynkoop  hesitated 
no  longer.  He  approached  the  real  business  of  the  meet- 
ing rapidly,  and  in  a  few  moments  the  commander's 
commission  was  on  the  table.  The  offer  was  made,  and 
7 


74  BRAVE  OLD  SALT,   OR 

Somer?,  with  siicli  apparent  qualms  of  conscience  as  a 
naval  officer  might  be  expected  to  exhibit  on  deserting 
his  flao:,  accepted  the  proposition.  Mr.  Wyukoop  went 
into  his  sleeping  apartment,  adjoining  the  parlor,  with 
the  commission  in  his  hand. 

He  returned  in  a  moment  with  the  name  of  "  John 
Somers,"  filled  in  the  blank  space  left  for  that  purpose, 
and  handed  it  to  his  guest. 

Somers  shuddered  when  he  saw  his  name  written  upon 
such  an  infernal  document ;  for  though  he  was  still  true 
to  God,  his  country,  and  himself,  the  paper  had  an  ugly 
look.  But  he  regarded  it  only  as  evidence  against  the 
conspirators,  rather  than  against  himself;  as  a  necessary 
formality  to  enable  him  to  frustrate  the  designs  of  trai- 
tors, rather  than  as  a  blot  against  his  own  name. 

"  Mr.  Somers,  I  congratulate  you.     If  you  could  be 

induced   to  join  me  in  a  glass  of  this    old   sherry,   we 

would  drink  to  the  success  of  the  Louisiana  —  for  that 

is  to  be  the  name  of  your  craft  when  you  get  to  sea." 

•1  thank  you,  Mr.  Wynkoop  ;  you  must  excuse  me." 

/•  As  you  please.  Mr.  Somers,  though  I  am  an  tLng- 
lishman,  and  V)elong  to  the  royal  navy,  it  is  hardly  neces- 
sary for  me  to  say  now,  that  I  am  in  the  service  of  tiie 
South.  I  go  with  you  in  the  Louisiana,  as  a  passenger. 
Your  first  work  will  be  to  capture  one  of  the  California 
steamers,  which  I  am  to  transform  into  a  man-of-war, 
and  call  the  Texas.     She  will  be  under  my  command." 


LIFE    ON    THE  QUARTES.    DECK.  75 

*'■  L  am  satisfied/' 

"  By  tile  way,  Captain  Somers,"  added  Wynkoop,  aa 
Le  took  a  paper  from  his  pocket,  "  here  is  the  oath  of 
allegiance  to  the  Confederate  States  of  America,  which 
it  will  be  necessary  for  you  to  sign." 

This  was  more  than  Somers  had  bargained  for,  and  he 
would  have  cut  off  his  right  hand,  or  permitted  his  head 
to  be  severed  from  his  body,  rather  than  put  his  signa- 
ture to  the  detested  paper.  A  cold  chill  crept  through 
his  veins,  as  he  glanced  at  the  sheet  on  which  it  was 
printed,  and  he  was  afraid  all  he  had  done  would  fail 
because  he  could  not  do  this  thing. 

Lieutenant  Wynkoop  brought  a  pen  and  ink  from  his 
sleeping  apartment,  and  placed  it  by  the  side  of  his  guest. 

"  I  would  rather  not  sign  this  just  now,"  said  Somers. 
"  It  might  get  me  into  trouble." 

"  Very  well ;  Ave  will  attend  to  that  after  you  get  on 
board  of  the  Ben  Nevis,"  replied  Wynkoop,  as  he  took 
the  oath  and  the  commission,  with  the  pen  and  ink,  and 
went  into  his  chamber  again. 

Ha  was  absent  several  minutes  this  time,  and  Somera 
had  an  opportunity  to  review  his  position. 

"  Here  is  your  commission,  Captain  Somers,"  said  the 
lieutenant,  as  he  placed  the  document  on  the  table.  "  On 
the  whole,  I  think  you  had  better  sign  the  oath  now." 

"  I  think  it  will  do  just  as  well  when  we  get  off." 

"  Perhaps    it   will ;    here   are  your   orders,"  said  h^ 


76  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

handing  Somers  another  paper,  and  placing  that  contain* 
ing  the  oath  on  the  table. 

At  this  moment,  Somers  heard  a  step  in  the  direction 
of  the  bedroom.  He  turned,  with  surprise,  to  see  who  it 
was,  for  he  had  heard  no  one  enter. 

"  Ah,  Somers,  I  am  glad  to  see  you,"  said  the  new 
arrival,  stepping  up  to  the  table,  and  glancing  at  tht 
papers  which  lay  open  there. 

It  was  Lieutenant  Pillgrim. 


LIFE    OX    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  77 


CHAPTEK    VII 


LANGDON  S    LETTERS. 


!  w,VT  had  been  no  part  of  Soraers's  purpose  to  bear 
the  whole  responsibility  of  the  transactions  in 
which  he  had  so  promptly  engaged.  Mr.  AVal- 
dron  would  return  in  a  few  days,  and  on  his  ar- 
rival, the  overburdened  young  officer  intended  to  confide 
the  momentous  secret  to  him,  receiving  the  benefit  of 
his  advice  and  support  in  the  great  business  he  had 
undertaken. 

After  the  kind  treatment  he  had  received  at  the  handa 
of  Lieutenant  Pillgrim,  he  was  rather  disposed  to  make 
him  a  confidant ;  but  he  knew  so  little  about  his  travel- 
ling companion,  that  though  he  had  no  question  about 
his  fidelity  and  honor,  he  was  not  quite  willing  to  stake 
everything  on  his  judgment  and  discretion,  as  he  must 
do,  if  he  opened  the  subject  to  him. 

Somers  was  not  a  little  surprised  to  see  Mr.  Pillgrim 
enter  the  parlor  in  that  unceremonious  way.  It  indicated 
a  degree  of  intimacy  between  the  two  gentleman  that 
gave  him  an  unpleasant  impression,  which,  however,  h« 
had  no  time  to  follow  out  to  its  lesritimate  issue. 


7S  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  PLxcuse  me,  Mr.  Wynkoop,"  said  Lieutenant  Pill- 
grim,  as  he  paused  at  the  side  of  the  table,  "  for  entering 
in  this  abrupt  manner.  I  have  been  knocking  at  your 
door  for  some  time,  without  obtaining  a  response." 

"  You  went  to  the  wrong  door.  That's  my  bed- 
room." 

"  So  I  perceive,  now." 

"  But  there  is  no  harm  done ;  on  the  contrary,  I  am 
very  glad  to  see  you.  Sit  down  and  take  a  glass  of  wine 
with  me.     Mr.  Somers  does  not  indulge." 

"  Mr.  Somers  is  a  very  proper  young  man,"  said  the 
lieutenant,  with  a  pleasant  smile,  as  he  glanced  again  at 
the  papers  which  lay  open  on  the  table.  "  I  have  been 
looking  for  you,  Somers,  but  it  was  only  to  ask  you  what 
the  prospect  is  on  board  the  Chatauqua.  I  have  not 
been  on  board  to-day." 

"  I  think  we  shall  be  wanted  by  to-morrow  or  next 
day,"  replied  Somers,  who  could  not  help  seeing  that  the 
eye  of  his  superior  officer  was  fixed  on  the  commander's 
commission,  which  lay  open  before  him. 

"  Indeed !  I  am  glad  to  know  this,  for  I  had  made 
up  my  mind  to  go  to  New  York  in  the  morning.  Of 
course  I  shall  not  go." 

"  Sit  down,  Mr.  —  Really,  sir,  you  must  excuse  me, 
but  I  have  forgotten  your  name,"  said  Mr.  Wynkoop. 

"  Lieutenant  Fillgrim  —  at  your  service.  It  is  not 
very  surprising  that  you  should  forget  it,  since  we  have 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  79 

met  but  once  ;  not  half  so  surprising  as  that  I  should 
force  myself  into  your  rooms,  on  so  short  au  ac- 
quaintance.'* 

"  Don't  mention  it,  my  dear  fellow.  We  sailors  are 
brothers  all  over  the  world.  Sit  down,  and  take  a  glass 
of  sherry  with  me.  It's  a  capital  wine  —  made  two 
voyages  to  India." 

"  Excuse  me.  Mr.  Wynkoop  ;  I  merely  called  to  invite 
you  to  spend  the  evening  with  me.  I  have  a  plan  that 
will  use  up  two  or  three  hours  very  pleasantly." 

"  Thank  j^ou,  Mr.  Pillgrim.  You  are  a  friend  in  need, 
and  a  friend  indeed." 

"  I  see  that  you  and  Mr.  Somers  have  business,  and 
I  will  take  my  leave." 

"  I  should  be  happy  to  have  you  remain,  but  if  you 
will  not,  I  will  join  you  in  half  an  hour  in  the  reading- 
room.     Better  sit  down,  and  wait  here." 

"  I  vi^ill  not  interrupt  your  business  with  Mr.  Somers," 
replied  Lieutenant  Pillgrim,  again  glancing  curiously  at 
the  documents  on  the  table. 

Greatly  to  the  relief  of  Somers,  his  fellow-officei  left 
the  room.  This  visit  had  been  a  most  unfortunate  one, 
for  the  lieutenant  could  not  have  avoided  seeing  the  nature 
of  the  papers  on  the  table.  But  as  Somers  was  a  irue 
and  loyal  man,  his  conscience  accused  him  of  no  wrong, 
and  he  had  no  fears  in  regard  to  the  result-  This  reve- 
lation simply  imposed  upon  him  the  necessity  of  making 


80  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    mt 

Mr.  Pillgrim  his  confidant,  which  he  proposed  to  do  at 
the  first  convenient  opportunity. 

"  You  think  you  will  not  sign  the  oath  to-night,  Mr. 
Somers?"  said  his  companion. 

"  It  had  better  be  deferred,"  replied  Somers,  as  he 
folded  up  the  commission,  and  put  it  in  his  pocket,  regard- 
ing it  as  the  most  important  evidence  in  his  possession 
against  Coles,  and  a  sufficient  confirmation  of  the  truth  of 
the  statement  he  had  so  carefully  written  out  the  night 
before. 

"  Suit  yourself,  Somers.  TVe  shall  not  differ  about 
these  small  matters,"  added  Wynkoop,  as  he  folded  up 
the  oath,  and  put  it  in  his  pocket.  "'By  the  Avayy 
Somers,  what  do  you  think  of  our  friend  Pillgrim?" 

"  He  is  a  fine  fellow,  and  I  am  told  he  is  a  good 
officer.     I  was  not  aware  that  you  knew  him." 

"  I  have  only  met  him  once,  just  as  I  met  you.  Hovr 
do  you  think  he  stands  affected  towards  our  cause?" 

"  Not  well." 

"  So  I  feared." 

"  He  is  a  loyal  man,  though  a  Virginian." 

"  Do  you  think  I  could  make  anything  of  him?" 

"I  am  satisfied  you  could  not." 

"  I  did  not  dare  to  try  him.  I  gave  him  a  chance  to 
nibble  at  my  bait,  but  he  wouldn't  bite.  Perhaps,  when 
I  know  him  better,  he  will  come  round  ;  for  I  don't  tliink 
there  are  many  of  these  Yankee  officers  that  have  any 
real  heart  in  their  work." 


LIFE    ON   THE    QUARTER   DECK.  81 

"  You  are  utterly  mistaken,"  said  Somers ;  but  re- 
membering that  he  was  hardly  in  a  position  to  defend  his 
loyal  comrades  in  the  navy,  he  did  not  seriously  combat 
the  proposition  of  the  rebel  emissary. 

As  the  business  of  the  interview  was  now  finished, 
Somers  shook  hands  with  his  a^jreeable  host  —  though  his 
heart  repelled  the  act,  —  and  took  leave  of  him.  He 
hastened  to  his  chamber,  agitated  and  excited  by  the 
strange  and  revolting  scene  through  which  he  had  just 
passed.  It  was  some  time  before  he  was  calm  enough  to 
think  coherently  of  what  he  had  done,  and  of  the  com- 
pact he  had  made.  He  wished  very  much  to  see  Mr. 
Waldron  now  ;  indeed,  he  felt  the  absolute  necessity  of 
confiding  to  some  trustworthy  person  the  momentous 
secret  he  had  obtained,  which  burned  in  his  soul  like  aa 
evil  deed. 

If  Lieutenant  Pillgrim  had  not  actually  read  his  com- 
mission when  it  lay  on  the  table,  he  must,  at  least,  have 
suspected  that  all  was  not  right  with  his  shipmate.  He 
must,  therefore,  confide  in  him,  and  without  the  loss  of 
another  moment,  he  hastened  to  his  room  for  this  pur- 
pose ;  but  the  lieutenant  was  not  there.  He  searched 
for  him  in  all  the  public  rooms  of  the  hotel,  but  without 
success.  Remembering  that  his  fellow-officer  was  to 
meet  Mr.  AVynkoop  in  the  reading-room  half  an  hour 
from  the  tune  they  parted,  he  waited  there  over  an  hour, 
but  the  appointment  evidently  was  not  kept  by  eithe* 
party. 


82  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

Somers  did  not  wish  to  sleep  another  night  without 
sharing  his  great  secret  with  some  one  ;  for  if  anything 
should  happen  to  him,  he  reasoned,  the  commission  and 
the  orders  might  be  found  in  his  possession,  and  subject 
him  to  very  unpleasant  suspicions,  if  they  did  not  expose 
him  to  the  actual  charge  of  complicity  with  the  enemies 
of  his  country.  He  waited  in  the  vicinity  of  the  office 
till  midnight,  hoping  to  see  Mr.  Pillgrim  ;  but  he  did  not 
appear,  and  he  reluctantly  retired  to  his  chamber. 

When  he  carried  his  key  to  the  office  in  the  morning, 
there  Avas  a  note  in  his  box,  addressed  to  him.  The  ink 
of  the  direction  was  hardly  dry,  and  the  lap  of  the  enve- 
lope was  still  wet  where  it  had  been  moistened  to  seal  it. 
Somers  opened  it.  He  was  surprised  and  startled  at  its 
contents  ;  but  the  Avriter  had  evidently  made  a  mistake  iu 
the  superscription.     It  was  as  follows  :  — 

"  My  Dear  Pillgrim  :  I  have  just  sent  a  note  to 
Somers,  saying  that  the  Ben  Nevis  has  sailed,  —  which 
is  a  fact,  —  and  that  he  must  join  her  at  Mobile,  where 
she  will  run  in  a  cargo  of  arms  and  provisions.  Act 
accordingly.     How  is  this? 

Langdon." 

Both  the  name  and  the  import  of  the  letter  implied 
that  the  note  was  not  intended  for  Somei-s,  though  it 
was  directed  to  him.     The  writer  had  evidently  written 


LIFE    ON   THE    QUARTER    DECK.  83 

two  notes,  aad  ia  his  haste  had  misdirected  the  oave- 
lopes. 

"  My  dear  Pillgrim  !  "  The  note  was  intended  for  his 
fellow-ofRcer.  Was  Pillgrim  a  confederate  of  L<*ngdon? 
It  looked  so,  incredible  as  it  seemed. 

Somers  was  bewildered  for  a  moment,  but  ho  was  too 
good  a  strategist  to  be  overwhelmed.  Restoring  the  note 
to  its  envelope,  he  readjusted  the  lap,  whick  was  still 
wet,  and  the  letter  looked  as  though  it  had  not  been 
opened.  He  returned  it  to  the  box  under  nis  key,  and 
perceived  that  there  was  also  a  note  in  Mr.  Pillgrim's 
box.  As  soon  as  the  mistake  was  discovered,  the  letters 
would  be  changed.  He  returned  to  his  k-oom  to  await 
the  result. 

Somers  had  made  an  astounding  discovery  by  the 
merest  accident  in  the  world.  Things  were  not  what 
they  seemed.  Mr.  Pillgrim  had  relations  of  some  kind 
with  Langdon,  ahas  Lieutenant  Wynkoop.  His  entering 
the  parlor  while  they  were  at  dinner  was  not  so  acci- 
dental a  circumstance  as  it  had  appeared.  Who  and  what 
was  Lieutenant  Pillgrim?  The  belief  that  he  had  met 
him  somewhere  before  they  came  together  at  Newport, 
still  haunted  Somers ;  but  he  was  in  no  better  condition 
now  than  then  to  solve  the  mystery. 

In  half  an  hour  he  went  down  to  the  office  again. 
The  note  to  Mr.  Pillgrim  was  gone  ;  but  there  was  one 
%x  iimself  in  the  box.     He  took  it  out ;  the  direction 


84  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

was  not  in  the  same  handwriting  as  before.  Mr  Pill- 
griin  had  probably  discovered  the  mistake,  and  changed 
the  letters,  without  a  suspicion  that  the  one  addressed  to 
himself  had  been  read.  Somers  opened  the  note,  which 
contained  the  information  he  expected  to  find  there  in 
regard  to  the  Ben  Nevis,  and  was  signed  by  Wynkoop. 

Beyond  the  possibility  of  a  doubt  now.  Lieutenant  Pill- 
grim  was  a  confederate  of  Langdon.  Of  course,  he 
knew  Coles.  He  was  a  Virginian,  and  it  was  now  cer- 
tain to  Somers,  if  to  no  one  else,  that  his  loyalty  had 
been  justly  suspected.  He  had  doubtless  entered  the 
navy  again  for  a  purpose.  What  that  purpose  was, 
remained  yet  to  be  exposed.  From  the  depths  of  his 
heart,  Somers  thanked  God  that  this  discovery  had  been 
made ;  and  he  determined  to  put  it  to  good  use.  He 
was  now  more  anxious  than  before  to  meet  his  friend 
Mr.  Waldron,  and  communicate  the  startling  iuformsf 
tion  to  him. 

From  the  morning  papers  he  saw  that  the  Ben  Nevis, 
whose  name  had  been  changed  to  that  of  a  famous  Union 
general,  had  actually  sailed,  as  Langdon's  note  informed 
him.  In  the  forenoon,  he  went  to  the  navy  yard,  ex- 
pecting to  find  the  ship  ready  to  go  into  commission  ;  but 
he  learned  that  the  bed-plates  of  her  pivot  guns  had  to  be 
recast,  and  that  she  would  not  be  ready  for  another  week. 
He  also  learned  that  his  friend  Mr.  Waldron  had  been 
taken  down  with  typhoid  fever  at  bis  home,  and  was 
then  in  a  critical  condition. 


LIFE    ON    THE   QUARTER    DECK.  8b 

Somers  was  not  only  shocked,  but  disconcerted  by  this 
iotelligeQce,  for  it  deprived  him  of  the  friend  and  coiin- 
eellor  whom  he  needed  iu  this  emergency.  After  care- 
ful deliberation,  he  obtained  a  furlough  of  a  week,  and 
went  to  the  home  of  Mr.  Waldron ;  but  the  sufferer 
could  not  even  be  seen,  much  less  consulted  on  a  matter 
of  business.  Left  to  act  for  himself,  he  hastened  to  New 
York,  and  then  to  Boston,  to  ascertain  what  lie  could  in 
regard  to  the  Ben  Nevis.  So  far  as  he  could  learn, 
everything  was  all  right  in  regard  to  her.  After  a  short 
visit  to  Pinchbrook,  he  hastened  back  to  Philadelphia, 
and  found  the  Chatauqua  hauled  out  into  the  stream,  and 
ready  to  go  into  commission  at  once.  Lieutenant  Pill- 
grim  and  the  other  officers  had  already  gone  on  board. 
Under  these  circumstances,  Somers  had  not  a  moment  to 
see  Langdon.  He  took  possession  of  his  state-room,  and 
at  once  had  all  the  work  he  could  do,  in  the  discharge  of 
his  duty. 

At  meridian  the  ensign  was  run  up,  and  the  ship  went 
into  commission  under  the  command  of  Captain  Casca- 
Del,  Mr,  Pillgrim  was  doing  duty  as  executive  officer, 
though  a  substitute  for  Mr.  Waldron  was  expected  before 
*Jie  ship  sailed.  Somers  was  uneasy,  and  dissatisfied 
'I'jth  himself.  He  began  to  feel  that  he  had  left  a  duty 
.i.i.erformed.  He  had  intended  to  expose  the  conspiracy 
:eTore  tlie  Chatauqua  sailed,  and  thus  relieve  himself 
-roui  the  heavy  responsibility  that  rested  upon  him.  Yet 
8 


86  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

to  whom  could  he  speak?  Mr.  Waldron  was  still  danjrer- 
ously  ill.     Mr.  Pillgrim  was  evidently  a  traitor  himself, 

He  could  give  his  information  to  the  United  States 
marshal  at  Philadelphia  ;  but  how  could  he  prove  his 
allegations  ?  Laugdon  and  Coles  he  had  not  seen  since 
his  return,  and  perhaps  they  were  in  another  part  of  the 
country  by  this  time.  He  had  the  commander's  commis- 
sion and  the  written  orders,  but  in  the  absence  of  the 
principals,  he  feared  these  would  be  better  evidenc* 
against  himself  than  against  the  conspii*ators. 

The  Ben  Nevis  had  sailed,  and  the  worst  she  could  do 
at  present  would  be  to  run  the  blockade.  The  Chatau- 
qua  was  generally  understood  to  be  ordered  to  Mobile, 
where  the  Ben  Nevis  was  to  run  in,  and  fit  out  for  her 
piratical  cruise.  After  a  great  deal  of  serious  reflection, 
Somers  came  to  the  unsatisfactory  conclusion  that  lie  must 
keep  his  secret.  He  could  not  denounce  Mr.  Pillgrim 
as  a  rebel,  with  his  present  information,  Avithout  exposing 
himself  to  greater  peril  than  the  real  criminal.  Besides, 
he  was  to  be  with  the  lieutenant,  and  he  was  going  to 
Mobile.  He  could  watch  the  traitor,  and  await  the 
appearance  of  the  Ben  Nevis,  when  she  arrived  at  the 
station. 

Somers  was  not  satisfied  with  this  conclusion,  but  his 
judgment  assured  him  his  intended  course  of  action  was 
the  best  the  circumstances  would  admit.  Thus  settling 
the  question,  he  attended  to  his  duty  with  his  usual  zeal 
and  energy. 


LIFE  ON  THE   QUARTER  DECK.  87 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

THE    UNITED    STATES    STEAMER   CIIATAUQUA. 

OMERS  had  served  in  several  vessels,  but  never 
before  had  he  gone  on  board  his  ship  with  a 
heavier  responsibility  resting  upon  him,  than 
when  he  took  his  station  on  the  deck  of  the  Chatauqua. 
He  was  now  a  ward-room  officer,  and  as  such  he  would 
be  required  to  keep  a  watch,  and  be  in  command  of  the 
deck.  But  in  addition  to  his  professional  duties,  he  had 
in  his  keeping  valuable  but  dangerous  information,  of 
which  he  must  make  a  judicious  use. 

The  young  officer  was  perfectly  familiar  with  the  rou- 
tine of  his  duties.  He  knew  the  ship  from  stem  to  stern, 
and  from  keel  to  truck.  He  felt  entirely  at  home,  there- 
fore, and  hoped  soon  to  merit  the  approbation  of  his 
superiors.  He  was  formally  presented  to  Captain  Cas- 
cabel  and  flie  other  officers  of  the  ship.  He  was  kindly 
and  cordially  greeted  by  all.  Mr.  Pillgrim,  as  acting 
first  lieutenant,  proceeded  at  once  to  make  out  the  watch, 
quarter,  and  station  bill ;  and,  whatever  his  political 
principles,  it  must  be  confessed  that  he  performed  this 
difficult  duty  with  skill  and  judgment. 


SS  BRAVK  OLD  SALT,   CH 

Every  day,  until  the  ship  sailed,  the  crew  were  exer. 
cised  at  the  guns,  aud  in  all  the  evolutions  required  I'oi 
carrying  on  ship's  duty,  from  "  fire  stations "  to  piping 
down  the  hammocks.  They  made  the  usual  proficiency, 
aud  were  soon  in  condition  to  work  together  —  to  handle 
the  ship  in  a  tornado,  or  to  meet  an  enemy.  On  the 
fourth  day,  when  Mr.  Pillgrim  was  superseded  by  Mr. 
Hackleford,  who  was  appointed  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Wal- 
dron,  everything  was  in  an  advanced  stage  of  progress. 

The  Chatauqua  was  a  screw  steam  sloop  of  war,  of 
the  first  class.  She  carried  ten  guns,  and  was  about 
fourteen  hundred  tons  burden.  Her  complement  of  ofl[i- 
cers  and  men  was  about  two  hundred  and  fifty,  including 
forty-two  attached  to  the  engineer's  department.  The 
ship  was  a  two-decker.  On  the  upper  or  spar  deck  wa3 
placed  her  armament,  consisting  of  two  immense  pivot 
guns  aud  eight  broadside  guns. 

Below  this  was  the  berth  deck,  on  which  all  the  offi- 
cers aud  men  ate  and  slept.  The  after  part  was  appro- 
priated to  the  ofiicers,  aud  the  forward  part  to  the  men. 
The  former  were  provided  with  cabins  aud  state-rooms, 
while  the  latter  swung  their  hammocks  to  the  deck 
beams  over  their  heads. 

As  most  of  our  readers  have  probably  never  seen  the 
interior  of  a  ship  of  war,  we  present  on  the  adjoining 
page  a  plan  of  that  portion  of  the  vessel  occupied  by 
the  oliicers.     The  round  part  is  the  steru  of  the  ship, 


LIFE  ON  THE  QUARTEB  DECK. 


89 


and  the  diagram  includes  a  little  less  than  one  third  of 
the  whole  length  of  the  vessel. 

A.  The  Captain's  cabin,  to  which  are  attached  the  six 
imall  apartments  on  each  side  of  it. 

1.  The  Companion-way,  or  stairs,  by  which  the  cabin 
is  reached  from  the  deck.  -, 

2,  3.  Store-rooms. 

4.  Water-closet. 

5.  Pantry. 

6.  7.  State-rooms. 

B.  The  Ward-room,  in  which  there  is  a  table,  long 
enough  to  accommodate  the  eight  officers  who  occupy 
this  apartment. 

8.  First  Lieutenant's  state-room. 

9.  Second         " 

10.  Third  " 

11.  Fourth         « 

12.  Chief  Engineer's 

13.  Master's 

14.  Paymaster's 

15.  Surgeon's 

16.  First  Assistant  Engineers'  state-room. 

17.  Second  Assistant  Engineers'  room. 

C.  The  Steerage,  occupied  by  Midshipmen  and  Ma9> 
ters'  Mates. 

D.  Third  Assistant  Engineer's  room. 

18.  The  Armory. 


90  BIIAVE   OLD   SALT,    OH 

1^.  "Ward-room  pantry,  through  which  passes  the 
ffiizzen-mast. 

20,  20.  Berths. 

21,  21.  Mess  store-rooms. 

la  the  floor  of  the  ward-room,  hetween  the  state-room, 
t  and  12,  there  are  two  scuttles  leading  down  to  tlie 
iQagazine,  so  that,  during  an  action,  all  the  powder  is 
passed  up  through  this  room.  Woollen  screens  are  hung 
up  on  each  side  of  these  scuttles,  when  they  are  opened, 
to  prevent  any  spark  from  being  carried  down  to  the 
powder. 

There  are  four  other  scuttles  leading  down  into  the 
hold  from  the  ward-room  to  the  various  store-rooms  locat' 
ed  there,  and  several  in  the  floor  abreast  of  the  steerage. 

On  the  forward  part  of  the  berth  deck,  just  abaft  the 
foremast,  there  are  four  state-rooms  for  the  use  of  the 
carpenter,  gunner,  boatswain,  and  sailmaker.  All  per- 
sons except  those  mentioned  sleep  in  hammocks. 

The  engine  department  of  the  Chatauqua  consisted  of 
one  chief,  two  first  assistant,  two  second  assistant,  and 
one  third  assistant  engineers,  with  eighteen  firemen  and 
eighteen  coal  heavers.  The  chief  engineer  is  a  ward- 
room officer.  He  has  the  sole  charge  of  the  engine,  and 
all  persons  connected  with  its  management,  but  he  keeps 
uo  watch.  The  other  engineers  obey  the  orders  of  their 
chief,  and  are  divided  into  watches.  They  attend  to  the 
actual  working  of  the   engine.     The  firemen  are   also 


LIFE  ON  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  91 

f/assified,  and  receive  different  grades  of  pay,  a  portion 
of  them  attending  to  the  oiling  of  the  machinery,  — 
called  "  oilers,  "  —  while  others  superintend  or  feed  the 
fires,  and  do  other  work  connected  with  the  engine  and 
boilers.  The  coal-heavers  convey  the  fuel  from  the  coal 
bunkers  to  the  furnaces. 

Mr.  Euhign  Somers  was  the  fourth  lieutenant  of  the 
Cliatauqua,  and  occupied  the  last  state-room  on  the  left, 
as  you  enter  the  ward-room.  It  was  a  nice  little  apart- 
ment, and  the  young  officer  was  as  happy  as  a  lord  when 
he  was  fully  installed  in  his  new  quarters.  And  well 
might  one  who  had  commenced  his  naval  career  as  au 
ordinary  seaman,  sleeping  in  a  hammock,  and  who  had 
never  before  known  anything  better  than  the  confined 
accommodations  of  the  steerage,  have  been  delighted 
with  his  present  comfortable  and  commodious  quarters. 

His  state-room  was  lighted  by  a  bull's  eye,  or  round 
glass  window,  which  could  be  opened  in  port,  or  in  pleas- 
ant weather  at  sea.  The  room  contained  but  one  berth, 
which  was  quite  wide  for  a  ship,  supplied  with  an  excel- 
lent mattress  ;  and  one  who  could  not  sleep  well  in  such 
a  bed  must  be  troubled  with  a  rebellious  conscience. 
There  was  also  a  bui'cau,  the  upper  drawer  of  which, 
when  the  front  was  dropped  down,  became  a  convenient 
writing  desk,  supplied  with  small  drawers,  shelves,  and 
pigeon-holes.  The  room  was  carpeted,  and  contained 
all  that  a  reasonable  man  could  require  to  maks  him 
«orafor*abU'  and  happy. 


&2  BRAVE  OLD  SALT,   OR 

There  was  only  one  drawback  upon  the  happiness  of 
Somers ;  and  tliat  was  the  absence  of  Mr.  Waldron. 
There  was  not  one  among  the  otficers  whom  he  could 
now  call  by  the  endearing  name  of  friend,  though  all  of 
them  were  good  officers  and  gentlemanly  men,  and  he 
had  no  reason  to  anticipate  any  difficulty  with  any  of 
them,  unless  it  was  with  Mr.  Pillgrim.  He  sighed  for 
the  friendly  guidance  and  the  genial  companionship  of 
the  late  commander  of  the  Rosalie,  especially  in  view  of 
the  embarrassing  circumstances  which  surrounded  him. 

But  it  was  some  compensation  to  know  that  his  old 
shipmate,  Tom  Longstone,  had  been  promoted  to  the 
rank  of  boatswain,  and  ordered  to  the  Chatauqua.  The 
old  man's  splendid  behavior  in  Doboy  Sound  had  enabled 
Mr.  Waldron  to  secure  this  favor  for  him,  and  to  obtain 
his  appointment  to  his  own  ship.  Mr.  Longstone,  as  he 
must  hereafter  be  called,  came  on  board  in  a  uniform  of 
bright  blue,  and  his  dress  so  altered  his  appearance  that 
Somers  hardly  recognized  him.  The  old  salt  had  always 
been  very  careful  about  "  putting  on  airs,"  Avhen  he  was 
a  common  sailor  or  a  petty  officer  ;  but  he  knew  how  to 
be  a  gentleman,  and  his  new  dignity  sat  as  easily  upon 
him  as  though  he  had  been  brouglit  up  in  the  ward-room. 
Though  he  looked  well,  and  carried  himself  like  an  offi- 
cer, he  could  not  immediately  adapt  his  language  to  his 
new  position.  lie  was  a  representative  sailor,  and  he 
could  not  help  being  "  salt." 


LIFE  ON  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  93 

The  boatswain  was  Somers's  only  real  friend  on  board, 
and  the  distance  between  a  ward-room  oiuecr  and  a  for- 
ward officer  was  so  great  that  lie  was  not  likely  to  real- 
ize any  especial  satisfaction  from  the  friendship  ;  but  it 
was  pleasant  to  know  that  there  was  even  one  in  the  sliip 
who  was  devoted  to  him,  heart  and  soul, 

"All  hands,  up  anchor  !  "  piped  the  boatswain  ;  and  it 
was  a  pleasant  sound  to  the  fourth  lieutenant  of  the  Cha- 
tauqua,  as  doubtless  it  was  to  all  hands,  for  "lying  in 
the  stream  "  is  stupid  work  to  an  expectant  crew. 

The  ship  got  irader  way  with  all  the  order  and  regu- 
larity which  prevail  on  board  a  man-of-war,  and  in  a 
short  time  was  standing  down  the  Delaware  River.  Ilcr 
great  guns  pealed  the  customary  salute,  and  as  the  wind 
was  fair,  her  top-sails  and  top-gallant-sails  were  shaken 
out  as  soon  as  she  had  passed  from  the  narrow  river  into 
the  broad  bay.  Off  the  capes  the  sealed  orders  were 
opened  ;  and  it  proved,  as  the  knowing  ones  had  antici- 
pated, that  the  Chatauqua  was  bound  to  the  blockading 
station  off  Mobile  Bay. 

At  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening  the  ship  Avas  out  of 
sight  of  laud.  Everything  on  board  was  in  regular  sea 
trim.  Mr.  Garboard,  the  third  lieutenant,  had  the  deck, 
and  the  other  officers  were  in  the  ward-room,  or  in  their 
state-rooms.  They  were  discussing  the  merits  of  the 
ship,  or  the  probable  work  before  them  at  Mobile  ;  for 
a   great   naval   attack  in   that  quarter   was  confidently 


94  BRAVE  OLD  SALT,   OR 

predicted.  The  "  Old  Salamander,"  "Brave  Old  Salt," 
as  Admiral  Farragut  was  familiarly  called,  was  under- 
stood to  be  making  preparations  for  one  of  his  tremen- 
dous onslaughts. 

Soraers  was  occupied  in  his  state-room,  putting  his 
books,  papers,  and  clothing  in  order,  which  he  had  not 
had  time  to  do  before  to  his  satisfaction.  He  placed  his 
Testament  on  the  bureau,  where  it  could  be  taken  up  for 
a  moment  without  delay,  and  where  it  would  constantly 
remind  him  of  his  duty,  and  of  the  loved  ones  at  home, 
with  whom  the  precious  volume  seemed  to  be  inseparably 
associated. 

Among  his  papers  were  the  rebel  commission,  the 
written  orders,  and  the  statement  he  had  made  of  the 
interview  between  Coles  and  Langdon,  which  had  been 
extended  so  as  to  contain  a  full  account  of  his  conference 
with  "  Mr.  Wynkoop,"  and  his  inquiries  into  the  charac- 
ter of  the  Ben  Nevis,  in  Boston  and  New  York.  These 
documents  brought  forcibly  to  his  mind  his  relations  with 
Lieutenant  Pillgrim,  who  was  still  a  mystery  to  him. 
Since  Somers  had  come  on  board  of  the  Chatauqua,  not 
a  sylloble  had  been  breathed  about  the  dinner  with  the 
"oilicer  of  the  royal  navy."  As  Mr.  Pillgrim  doubtless 
believed  he  had  changed  the  letters,  and  thus  corrected 
his  confederate's  mistake,  before  the  letter  intended  for 
him  had  fallen  into  Somers's  hand,  the  lieutenant  had  no 
reason  to  suppose  his  treasonable  position  was  even  sus- 
pected. 


LIFE  Oy  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  95 

Somers  felt  that  he  had  a  battle  to  fight  with  Mr.  Pill- 
griin,  and  the  suspense  was  intolerable,  not  to  mention 
the  hypocrisy  and  deceit  which  this  double  character  re- 
quired of  him.  Now,  more  than  before,  he  regretted  the 
absence  of  Mr.  Waldron,  who  would  have  been  a  rock 
of  safety  and  strength  to  him  in  the  trials  that  beset  him. 
While  he  was  moodily  overhauling  his  papers,  and  think- 
ing of  his  difficult  situation,  Mr.  Pillgrim  knocked  at  the 
door  of  his  room,  and  was  invited  to  enter. 

"Ah,  making  stowage,  are  you,  Somers?"  said  the 
lieutenant,  pleasantly. 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  putting  things  to  rights  a  little." 

"  It's  a  good  plan  to  have  everything  in  its  place," 
added  Pillgrim,  as  he  took  up  the  little  Testament  which 
lay  on  the  bureau.  "  You  are  a  good  boy,  I  see,  and 
read  the  book." 

"  That  was  given  me  by  my  mother,  and  I  value  it 
Tcry  highly." 

"  Then  I  shouldn't  think  you  would  want  to  wear  it 
out." 

"  She  gave  it  to  me  to  use,  and  I  am  afraid,  if  she 
saw  it  was  not  soiled  by  handling,  she  would  think  it  had 
not  been  well  used." 

"  I  am  glad  you  use  it.  I  don't  fail  to  read  mine 
nioruing  and  cveQinjr." 

Somers  could  not  believe  him,  and  he  could  not  see 
that  a  traitor  to  his  country  should  have  any  use  for  the 
New  Testament. 


96  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  By  the  way,  Somers,  did  yoii  see  your  friend  Wyn- 
koop  again  before  we  sailed?  "  added  Mr.  Pillgrira. 

"  I  did  rot ;  I  have  not  seen  him  since  we  dined  to- 
gether. I  judge  that  you  were  better  acquainted  with 
him  than  I  was," 

"  My  acquaintance  with  him  was  very  slight.  By  the 
papers  I  saw  on  the  table  before  you,  when  you  Avere  at 
dinner,  I  think  you  made  good  use  of  the  short  time  you 
knew  each  other." 

"  To  vfhat  do  you  allude  ? "  asked  Somers,  now  as- 
sured that  Mr.  Pillgrim  knew  the  nature  of  the  papers. 

"  To  your  commission  as  a  commander  in  the  Confed- 
erate navy.     Mr.  Somers,  I  could  not  believe  my  eyes." 

"  "Were  you  very  much  astonished?  " 

"  If  I  had  been  told  that  President  Lincoln  had  gone 
over  to  the  rebels,  I  should  not  have  been  more  aston- 
ished. Your  conduct  has  severely  embarrassed  me.  It 
was  my  duty  to  denounce  you  as  a  traitor,  in  the  service 
of  the  enemy,  but  —  " 

At  that  instant  the  rattle  of  the  drum,  beating  to  quar- 
ters, caused  both  of  them  to  hurry  on  deck. 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK. 


CHAPTER    IX. 


IN    THE    STATE-ROOM. 


OMERS  took  his  station  on  the  quarter  deck, 
near  the  mizzen-mast,  while  Mr.  Pillgrim  went 
forward  to  the  forecastle.  The  guns  were  cast 
loose,  and  the  crew  exercised  at  quarters  for  a  few 
moments,  just  as  though  there  were  an  enemy's  ship 
near.  This  manoeuvre  was  executed  for  the  purpose  of 
perfecting  the  officers  and  crew  in  discipline  ;  and  it  is 
not  an  uncommon  thing  to  turn  up  all  hands  in  the  dead 
of  the  night  for  this  object,  for  it  is  easier  to  correct  mis- 
takes at  such  times  than  when  in  the  presence  of  the 
enemy.  As  there  was  no  Confederate  ship  in  sight,  all 
hands  were  presently  piped  below,  and  Somers  returned 
to  his  state-room,  where  he  was  soon  joined  by  Mr.  Pill- 
grim,  who  evidently  wished  to  prolong  the  conversation 
which  had  been  commenced  before  the  ship  beat  to  quar- 
ters. 

"  Mr.  Somers,  you  and  I  have  been  friends  for  some 
little  time,"  the  lieutenant  began,  "  and  I  confess  that  I 
have  been  deeply  interested  in  you,  not  only  on  your  own 
account,  but  for  the  sake  of  our  friends  at  Newport." 
9 


98  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  Thank  you,  Mr.  Pillgrim,"  said  Somers,  as  the  gen- 
tleman paused.  "  I  am  greatly  obliged  to  you,  and  I 
hope  I  shall  always  merit  your  good  opinion." 

"I'm  afraid  not,  my  young  friend ;  at  least,  you  have 
not  commenced  this  cruise  very  well,  having  first  sold 
yourself  to  the  enemy." 

"  Do  you  think  I  have  done  that,  Mr.  Pillgrim  ?  "  de- 
manded Somers,  not  a  little  excited  by  the  charge,  from 
such  a  source. 

"  I  know  you  have.  I  saw  your  commission  on  the 
table." 

"  I  took  the  commission,  I  grant,  but  I  have  no  inten- 
tion of  using  it." 

"  Why  did  you  take  it  then  ?  " 

"  For  the  purpose  of  gaining  information." 

"  Have  you  gained  it?  "  demanded  Mr.  Pillgrim,  with 
a  hardly  perceptible  sneer. 

"  1  have." 

"  You  received  written  orders,  also." 

"  I  did  ;  and  if  I  had  obtained  a  foothold  on  the  deck 
of  the  vessel  to  which  I  was  ordered,  you  would  have 
seen  how  quick  I  should  have  passed  her  over  to  my 
government." 

"  That  is  a  very  plausible  explanation,  Mr.  Somers," 
added  the  lieutenant.  "  But  why  did  you  sign  the  oath  of 
allegiance  to  the  Southern  Confederacy  ?  " 

"  I  did  not." 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER   DECK.  99 

•'  I  beg  your  pardon,  but  I  saw  the  document  with 
your  signature  affixed  to  it." 

"  You  are  mistaken,  Mr.  Pillgrim." 

"  Can  I  refuse  to  believe  the  evidence  of  my  own 
eyes  ?  " 

"  Nevertheless,  I  must  persist  in  saying  that  I  did  not 
sign  the  oath." 

"  After  what  you  have  done,  Mr.  Somers,  I  could 
hardly  expect  you  to  acknowledge  it  to  a  loyal  officer. 
Are  you  aware  that  any  court  martial  would  convict  you, 
on  the  evidence  against  you,  of  treason,  and  sentence 
you  to  death  ?  " 

"  I  think  not,  when  it  was  made  to  appear  that  all  I 
did  was  in  the  service  of  my  country." 

Somers  shuddered  when  he  thought  of  a  traitor's 
doom,  and  for  the  first  time  realized  that  he  had  accumu- 
lated more  evidence  against  himself  than  against  the 
conspirators.  The  commander's  commission  and  the 
written  orders  Avere  almost,  if  not  quite,  enough  to  hang 
him. 

"  You  dou't  believe  what  you  say,  Mr.  Somers,  and  of 
course  you  cannot  expect  me  to  believe  it,"  said  Pillgrim, 
when  he  saw  his  brother  officer  musing,  and  looking 
rather  anxious. 

"  I  speak  the  truth,  Mr.  Pillgrim,"  replied  Somers, 
unable  to  turn  his  attention  entirely  away  from  the  con- 
sequences which  might  follow  some  of  these  appearances 
against  him. 


100  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  Somers,  I  have  felt  a  deep  interest  in  you.  I  have 
all  along  desired  to  be  your  friend.  This  is  the  only 
reason  why  I  did  not  prefer  charges  against  you  before 
the  ship  sailed.  Now,  I  advise  you  not  to  deny  what  is 
as  plain  as  truth  can  make  it.  I  am  your  friend.  Own 
up  to  me,  and  I  promise  never  to  betray  you." 

"  Would  your  friend  Langdon,  alias  Lieutenant  Wyn- 
koop,  R.  N.,  be  equally  considerate  ?"  asked  Somers, 
provoked  into  making  this  unguarded  remark  by  the 
hypocrisy  of  Pillgrim. 

If  the  second  lieutenant  of  the  Chatauqua  had  received 
the  bolt  from  a  thunder  cloud  he  could  not  have  been 
more  astonished.  He  started  back,  turned  pale,  and 
quivered  with  emotion. 

"Who?"  demanded  he,  with  a  tremendous  effort  to 
recover  his  self-possession. 

"  Do  you  think,  Mr.  Pillgrim,  that  I  am  a  little  lamb, 
that  can  be  led  round  with  a  silken  string?"  replied 
Somers,  with  energy.  "  You  are  my  superior  officer, 
and  as  such  I  will  respect  and  obey  you  until  —  until  —  " 

"Until  what?" 

"  Until  the  day  of  reckoning  comes.  When  you  stand 
up  in  my  presence  and  cliarge  me  with  being  a  traitor  to 
my  country,  you  had  better  remember  that  such  charges, 
like  chickens,  will  go  home  to  roost." 

"  I  was  not  brought  up  in  a  barn  yard,  Mr.  Somers, 
and  such  comparisons  are  beyond  my  comprehension." 


LIFE    ON   THE   QUARTER   DECK.  101 

"  Wherever  you  were  brought  up,  I  think  my  language 
is  plain  enough  to  be  understood  by  a  person  of  your 
intelligence." 

Perhaps  it  was  fortunate  for  both  parties  that  a  knock 
at  the  state-room  door  disturbed  the  conference  at  thia 
exciting  moment.     Somers  opened  the  door. 

"  Mr.  Hackle'ford  desires  to  see  Mr.  Somers  on  deck," 
said  a  midshipman. 

"  Excuse  me  for  a  few  moments,  Mr.  Pillgrim,"  said 
Somers,  as  he  closed  his  desk  and  locked  it. 

"  Certainly,  sir ;  but  I  should  be  happy  to  see  you 
when  you  are  disengaged.  I  wUl  remain  here  if  you 
please." 

"  I  will  join  you  as  soon  as  I  can." 

It  was  warm  below,  and  both  Pillgrim  and  Somers 
had  thrown  off  their  coats,  and  laid  them  on  the  bed, 
Somers  slipped  on  his  own,  as  he  supposed,  and  hastened 
on  deck  to  meet  the  first  lieutenant.  The  garment  seemed 
rather  large  for  him,  and  there  were  several  papers  in 
the  breast  pocket  which  did  not  belong  to  him.  Then  he 
was  aware  that  he  had  taken  the  second  lieutenant's  coat 
instead  of  his  own. 

Mr.  Hackleford  wished  to  obtain  some  information 
from  him  in  regard  to  one  of  the  petty  officers,  and  when 
Somers  had  answered  the  questions  he  went  below  again. 
The  papers  in  the  pocket  of  Pillgrim's  coat  seemed  to 
burn  his  fingers  when  he  touched  them.  The  owner  was 
9* 


102  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

a  traitor,  and  perhaps  these  documeota  might  contain 
valuable  intelligence.  Under  ordinary  circumstances  it 
would  have  been  the  height  of  perfidy  to  look  at  one  of 
them  ;  but,  in  the  present  instance,  he  felt  justified  iu 
glancing  at  them.  The  state-room  of  the  second  assist- 
ant engineers  was  open  and  lighted,  but  neither  of  these 
officers  was  there.  Stepping  into  the  room,  he  opened 
the  papers  and  glanced  at  their  contents.  Only  one  of 
them  contained  anything  of  importance.  This  was  a 
note  from  a  person  who  signed  himself  simply  "■  Irvine," 
but  it  was  in  the  handwriting  of  Langdon.  The  only 
clause  in  the  epistle  that  was  intelligible  to  Somers  was 

this :  "  Have  just  heard  from  B .     The  Ben  Nevis, 

he  says,  will  make  Wilmingtou  after  leaving  St.  John. 
Plenty  of  gims  there.     She  will  sail  July  4." 

Whether  "  B "  meant  Boston  or  some  person's  name^ 

Somers  could  not  determine ;  but  the  fact  in  regard  to 
the  Ben  Nevis  was  of  the  utmost  consequence.  Hastily 
folding  up  the  note,  he  returned  the  package  of  papers 
to  the  pocket  where  he  had  found  them.  Taking  off  the 
coat  as  he  entered  the  ward-room,  he  went  into  the  state- 
room, where  Mr.  Pillgrira  was  still  waiting  for  him,  with 
Uie  garment  on  his  arm.  He  threw  it  upon  the  bed  as 
he  entered,  and  his  companion  was  not  even  aware  of 
the  mistake  which  had  been  made. 

"■  Tslr.  Somers,  you  were  making  some  grave  charges 
against  me  when  you  were  called  away,"  said  the  lieu- 
tenant. 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  103 

"  Not  half  SO  grave  as  those  you  made  agaiust  me," 
replied  Somers. 

"  Those  can  be  proved." 

"  I  made  no  charges.  I  only  mentioned  the  name  it 
your  friend  Langdon." 

"  I  don't  know  him,"  added  Pillgrim,  doggedly. 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  as  you  did  mine,  just  now." 

"  Which  means  that  you  doubt  my  word." 

"  As  you  did  mine." 

"  Somers,  I  am  not  to  be  trifled  with,"  said  Pillgrim, 
sternly. 

"  Neither  am  I." 

"  Be  cautious,  or  I  will  denounce  you  to  the  captain  at 
once,"  added  the  lieutenant,  in  low  and  threatening  tones. 

"  Proceed,  and  then  I  shall  be  at  liberty  to  take  the 
next  step." 

"  What's  that  ?  " 

"  Do  you  think  I  intend  to  show  you  my  hand?"  said 
Somers,  with  a  meaning  smile. 

"*illgrim  bit  his  lip  with  vexation.  He  seemed  to  be 
<»mpletely  cornered.  He  evidently  believed  that  his 
companion  knew  more  than  "■  the  law  allows." 

"  Mr.  Pillgrim,  1  am  no  traitor  ;  you  know  this  as  well 
as  I  do.  Whatever  papers  I  took  from  your  friend  Lang- 
don, alias  Wynkoop,  were  taken  with  a  view  to  serve  my 
lountry." 

"  You  signed  the  oath  of  allegiance  he  offer  ed  you." 


104  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OH 

"  It  is  false  !  "  replied  Somers,  angrily. 

"  Be  calm,  Mr.  Somers.  I  am  no  hypocrite,  as  yon 
are,"  added  Fillgrim.  "  I  have  heard  that  you  have  a 
talent  for  overhearing  other  people's  conversation." 

"  In  the  service  of  my  country  I  am  willing  to  do  even 
this,"  said  Somers,  indignantly. 

"  No  matter  about  that.  You  have  hinted  that  I  am 
a  traitor." 

"  If  the  hint  is  not  sufficient,  I  declare  that  such  is 
the  fact." 

Soniers  was  roused  to  a  high  pitch  of  excitement,  and 
he  was  not  as  prudent  as  he  was  wont  to  be.  He  was 
not  playing  a  part  now  ;  he  was  talking  and  acting  as  he 
wanted  to  talk  and  act.  He  was  calling  treason  and 
treachery  by  their  right  names. 

"  Explain,  Mr.  Somers,"  said  Pillgrim,  who  grew 
cooler  as  hig  companion  became  hotter. 

"  You  are  in  league  with  the  enemies  of  your  country. 
You  and  others  have  just  started  a  steamer  for  St.  John, 
which  you  intend  to  fit  out  as  a  Confederate  cruiser  — 
the  Ben  Nevis,  of  which  you  and  your  fellow-conspira- 
tors did  me  the  honor  to  give  me  the  command." 

Pillgrim  smiled  blandly. 

"  And  you  accepted  the  command?" 

"  For  a  purpose,  I  did." 

*'  You  have  not  explained  why  you  connect  me  with 
this  affair.  You  spoke  of  some  one  whom  you  call 
Lau";dou.     I  don't  know  him." 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER   DECK.  105 

«  You  — do!" 

"  Prove  it." 

"  He  addresses  a  note  to  you,  calling  you  '  my  dear 
Pillgrim,'  and  signs  himself,  familiarly,  '  Langdon.' " 

"  Then  you  have  been  reading  my  letters  —  have  you  ?  " 

"  It  was  addressed  to  me,  and  put  in  my  box  at  the 
hotel." 

The  second  lieutenant  turned  pale,  then  red.  He 
walked  up  and  down  the  state-room  several  times  in 
silence.  He  could  not  deny  the  fact  alleged.  While  he 
walked,  Somers  explained  how  he  had  read  the  note,  and 
then  put  it  back  in  the  box.     Pillgrim  understood  it, 

"  Of  course  you  know  Coles,"  continued  Someri^ 
placing  a  heavy  emphasis  on  the  name  of  this  worthy. 

The  lieutenant  halted  before  his  companion,  and  looked 
earnestly  and  inquiringly  into  his  face.  Somers  returned 
his  gaze  with  unflinching  resolution.  Tiiere  was  a  smile 
upon  his  face,  for  he  believed  that  he  had  thrown  a  red- 
hot  shot  into  the  enemy. 

"  Coles  !  "  said  Pillgrim. 

"  Coles  !  "  repeated  Somers. 

"  Mr.  Somers,  you  are  a  fool !  " 

"  Pray,  where  were  you  when  human  wisdom  was 
distributed?  " 

"  Do  you  know  Coles  ?  "  asked  Pillgrim. 

"  I  think  I  shoidd  know  Coles  if  I  saw  him." 

'•  No,  you  wouldn't." 


106  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OB 

"  He  is  the  greatest  villain  that  ever  went  unhung." 

"  Except  yourself.  Somers,  this  is  child's  play.  You 
have  made  me  your  enemy,  but  let  us  fight  it  out  like 
men." 

"  I  will  do  so  with  pleasure  when  you  take  your  place 
on  the  deck  of  a  rebel  vessel,  where  you  belong." 

"  A  triice  to  child's  play,  1  say  again.  We  must  settle 
this  matter  here  and  now." 

"  It  can't  be  done." 

"  It  must  be  done,  or  I  will  inform  Captain  Cascabel 
who  and  what  you  are  before  the  first  watch  is  out. 
Probably  he  will  wish  to  see  your  Confederate  commis- 
sion and  your  letter  of  instructions." 

"  When  he  does,  I  have  something  else  to  show  him," 
replied  Somers,  whose  answer  was  sufiiciently  indefinite 
to  make  the  traitor  look  very  stormy  and  anxious. 

"  Can  you  show  him  a  Confederate  oath  of  allegiance 
signed  by  me  ?  " 

"  No." 

"  Then  he  will  be  more  likely  to  hear  me  than  you," 
added  the  lieutenant,  whose  coimtenance  now  looked  as 
malignant  as  that  of  a  demon.  "  You  have  subscribed 
to  that  oath  ;  I  have  not." 

"  It  is  false  !  " 

"  So  you  said  before." 

"  Prove  it." 

"  Here,"  continued  Pillgrim,  taking  from  his  pocket 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER   DECK.  107 

the  document  which  had  been  offered  to  Somers  by  Wyn- 
koop. 

The  young  officer  glanced  at  it,  and  on  the  line  for  the 
signature,  he  saw,  with  horror  and  indignation,  the  name 
of  "  John  Somers,"  apparently  in  his  own  handwriting. 
Undoubtedly  it  was  a  forgery,  but  it  was  so  well  done 
that  even  the  owner  of  the  name  could  hardly  distin- 
guish it  from  his  usual  signature. 

"It  is  a  forgery,"  gasped  Somers,  appalled  at  the 
deadly  peril  which  seemed  to  be  in  his  path. 

"  Prove  it,"  said  the  lieutenant,  with  a  mocking  smile. 

Somers  groaned  in  spirit.  It  would  be  impossible  for 
him  to  prove  that  the  signature  was  a  forgery.  Even 
his  best  friends  would  acknowledge  it,  so  well  was  it 
executed. 

"  I  have  you,  Somers,"  said  Pillgrim,  exultingly. 
"  Let  us  understand  each  other.  You  are  mine,  Som- 
ers, or  you  hang  !     Somers,  I  am  Coles  !  " 


108  BRAVE  OLD  SALT.  OS 


CHAPTER    X. 


THE    CHIEF    CONSPIRATOR. 


LIEUTENANT  PILLGRIM  rattled  off  the  sea- 
tences  in  which  he  acknowledged  his  complicitj 
with  treason  with  a  smile  of  malignant  triumph 
on  his  face.  He  gloated  over  his  victim  as  the  evil 
one  might  be  supposed  to  do  over  a  soul  wrenched 
from  truth  and  virtue.  He  believed  that  he  had  Somerg 
in  a  position  where  he  could  not  betray  him,  or  even 
resent  his  tyranny. 

For  the  first  time  Somers  realized  that  he  had  been 
imprudent  in  exposing  himself  to  the  machinations  of 
these  evil  men.  Before  he  had  only  felt  a  little  uncom- 
fortably, and  harbored  a  vague  suspicion  that,  in  attempt- 
ing to  overreach  others,  he  had  committed  himself.  He 
had  learned  in  his  babyhood  that  it  is  dangerous  to  play 
with  fire,  but  had  never  believed  it  so  fully  as  at  this 
moment.  He  had  touched  the  pitch,  and  felt  that  he 
had  been  defiled  by  it.  Though  his  conscience  kept 
assuring  him  he  was  innocent,  and  protesting  against  a 
harsh  judgment,  he  could  not  help  regretting  that  he  hjid 


LIFE  Oy  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  109 

not  exposed  the  villains  before  he  left  Philadelphia,  and 
permitted  the  consequences  to  take  care  of  themselves. 

But  stronger  than  any  other  impression,  at  this  event- 
ful moment,  was  the  feeling  that  he  was  no  match  for 
men  so  deeply  versed  in  treason  and  wickedness  as  Pill- 
grim  and  his  confederates.  He  had  played  at  the  game 
of  strategy,  and  been  beaten.  While  he  thought  he  was 
leading  them  on  to  confusion,  they  were  actually  entwin- 
ing the  meshes  of  the  net  around  him. 

Mr.  Pillgrim  had  just  declared  that  he  was  the  mys> 
terious  Coles.  Somers,  at  first,  found  it  very  difficult  to 
realize  the  fact.  He  had  really  seen  Coles  but  once  ;  but 
they  had  spent  some  hours  together.  At  that  time  Coles 
wore  long,  black  whiskers,  which  concealed  two  thirds  of 
his  face  ;  Pillgrim  wore  no  beard,  not  even  a  mustache. 
Coles  was  dressed  in  homely  garments  ;  Pillgrim,  iu  an 
elegant  uniform.  Coles's  hair  was  short  and  straight ; 
Pillgrim's,  long  and  curly  at  the  ends. 

In  height,  form,  and  proportions,  they  were  the  same  ; 
and  the  difference  between  Coles  and  Pillgrim  was  really 
nothing  which  might  not  have  been  produced  with  a 
razor,  a  pair  of  barber's  shears,  and  the  contrast  of  dress. 
The  familiarity  of  the  lieutenant's  expression,  before  un- 
explained, was  now  accounted  for ;  and  before  his  tyrant 
spoke  again,  Somers  was  satisfied  that  he  actually  stood 
in  the  presence  of  Coles. 

Pillgrim  stood  with  folded  arms,  gazing  at  his  victim, 
10 


110  BRAVE  OLD  SALT,   OB 

and  enjoying  the  confusion  which  Somers  could  not  con- 
ceal. Tlie  persecutor  was  a  confident  man,  and  fully 
believed  that  he  was  master  of  the  situation,  and  that 
Somers  would  do  anything  he  asked  of  him,  eveu  to 
going  over  into  the  rebel  ranks.  He  was  mistaken  ;  for 
Somers,  deep  as  he  felt  that  he  was  in  hot  water,  would 
have  chosen  to  hang  at  the  fore  yard-arm,  rather  than 
betray  his  country,  or  be  false  to  her  interests. 

"  You  just  now  remarked  that  you  should  know  Coles 
if  you  saw  him,"  sneered  Pillgrim. 

"  I  know  you  now,"  replied  Somers,  bitterly. 

"  I  see  you  do ;  but  you  will  know  me  better  before 
we  part." 

"  I  know  you  well  enough  now.  You  are  a  rebel  and 
a  traitor ;  and  what  I  said  of  Coles  I  say  of  you,  —  that 
you  are  the  greatest  villain  that  ever  went  unhung." 

"  I  don't  like  that  kind  of  language,  Mr.  Somers," 
replied  Pillgrim,  with  entire  coolness  and  self-possession. 
"  It  isn't  the  kind  of  language  which  one  gentleman 
should  apply  to  another." 

"  Gentleman  !  "  said  Somers,  with  curling  lip  ;  "  I 
applied  it  to  a  rebel  and  a  traitor." 

"  In  the  present  instance  it  is  mutiny.  I  am  your 
superior  officer." 

"  You  are  out  of  place  ;  you  don't  belong  here." 

"  Your  place  is  on  the  quarter  deck  of  the  Ben  Nevis ; 
and  perhaps  it  will  be  when  she  goes  into  commission  as 
a  Confederate  cruiser." 


LIFE  ON   THE    QUARTER  DECK.  Ill 

*'  Never  !  "  exclaimed  Somers,  with  energy. 

*'  Mj  dear  Mr.  Somers,  be  prudent.  Some  ot  the 
officers  might  hear  you." 

"■  I  dou't  care  if  they  all  hear  me." 

"  You  talk  and  act  like  a  boy,  Somers.  I  beg  you  to 
consider  that  your  neck  and  mine  are  in  the  same  noose. 
If  I  hang,  you  hang  with  me." 

Somers  groaned,  for  he  could  not  see  where  his  vin- 
dication was  to  come  from. 

"  You  seem  to  understand  your  situation,  and  at  the 
same  time  you  appear  to  be  quite  willing  to  throw  your- 
self into  the  fire.  Let  me  call  your  attention  to  the  fact 
that  fire  will  burn." 

*'  Better  burn  or  hang,  than  be  a  traitor." 

"  Be  reasonable,  Somers.  I  do  not  propose  to  ask 
anything  of  you  which  will  compromise  your  position  in 
the  navy ;  but  I  repeat,  you  are  mine." 

"  I  don't  understand  you." 

"  I  have  told  you  my  secret-  You  know  that  I  am  ia 
the  Confederate  service ;  that  I  have  fitted  out  a  vessel  to 
cruise  for  Yankee  ships.  I  am  willing  you  should  know 
this,  for  you  dare  not  violate  my  confidence." 

"  Perhaps  I  dare." 

*'  If  you  do,  you  are  a  dead  man." 

*' Will  you  kill  me?" 

*'  If  necessary." 

**  I  have  usually  been  able  to  defend  myself,"  replied 
Somers,  with  dignity. 


J 12  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OJt 

"  I  am  not  an  assassin.  A  court  martial  will  do  all  1 
wish  done  if  you  are  not  prudent  and  devoted,  as  you 
should  be.  The  Confederate  oath  of  allegiance  signed  by 
you  is  good  testimony." 

"  I  didn't  sign  it.     The  signature  is  a  forgery." 

"  My  dear  fellow,  what  possible  difference  does  that 
make  ?     It  is  well  done  —  is  it  not  ?  " 

"  Perhaps  it  is.     Where  did  you  get  itf  ** 

"  Langdon  gave  it  to  me." 

"  Did  he  sign  my  name  to  it?" 

"  Possibly ;  but  even  grant  that  I  did  it  myself— 
what  then  ?  " 

"You  are  a  greater  villain  thai.  I  ev^r  g&.ve  Col^s 
the  credit  of  being." 

"  Thank  you  !  " 

"  Where  is  Langdon  now?" 

"  In  New  York  —  where  he  can  be  reached  if  you 
make  it  necessary  to  convene  a  court  martial." 

"  Is  he  a  naval  officer  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  he  has  been  a  Confederate  agent  in  London  for 
the  past  two  years.  Since  the  English  have  become  a 
little  particular  about  letting  steamers  out  for  the  Con- 
federates, he  buys  them  on  this  side." 

"  What  do  you  want  of  me,  Mr.  —  Pillgrim  ?  if  that  i3 
your  name  ?  " 

"  That  is  my  name.     I  don't  Avant  much  of  you." 

"What?'" 


LIFE  ON    THE    QUARTER   DECK.  113 

"  I  am  not  ready  to  tell  you  until  you  are  in  a  proper 
frame  of  mind.  You  are  rather  childish  to-night.  After 
you  have  thought  the  matter  over,  you  will  be  a  man, 
and  be  reasonable.  Let  me  see :  Garboard  has  the 
forenoon  watch  to-morrow,  and  we  shall  both  be  off  dutj 
after  general  quarters.  If  you  please,  I  will  meet  you 
at  that  time." 

Somers  considered  a  moment,  and  assented  to  the 
proposition.  Pillgrim  bade  him  good  night,  and  retired 
to  his  own  state-room,  apparently  without  a  fear  that  his 
victim  would  struggle  in  the  trap  into  which  he  had 
fallen. 

"  And  into  the  coimsels  of  the  ungodly  enter  thou  not.** 
This  text  rang  in  the  mind  of  Somers,  as  though  some 
mighty  prophet  were  thundering  it  into  his  eai's.  He 
felt  that  he  had  already  plunged  deep  enough  into  the  pit 
of  treason,  and  he  was  anxious  to  get  away  from  it 
before  he  was  scorched  by  the  fii'e,  and  before  the  smell 
of  fire  clung  to  his  garments. 

For  half  an  hour  the  fourth  lieutenant  of  the  Chatau- 
qua  sat  at  his  desk,  in  deep  thought.  Though  in  the 
matter  of  which  he  was  thinking,  he  had  not  sinned 
against  his  country,  or  the  moral  law,  he  was  sorely 
troubled.  He  could  not  conceal  from  himself  the  fact 
that  he  was  afraid  of  Pillgrim.  The  dread  of  having  his 
name  connected  with  any  treasonable  transaction  was 
hard  to  overcome.  That  oath  of  allegiance,  witii  lua 
10* 


114  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OH 

signature  forged  upon  it,  haunted  hiui  like  an  evil  dc« 
mon.  He  felt  more  timid  and  fearful  than  ever  before  in 
his  life.  His  faith  in  Him  who  doeth  all  things  well, 
seemed  to  be  momentarily  shaken,  and  he  was  hardly 
willing  to  do  justly,  and  leave  the  consequences  to 
themselves. 

He  felt  weak,  and  being  conscious  of  his  weakness,  he 
looked  upward  for  strength.  Leaning  on  his  desk,  he 
prayed  for  wisdom  to  know  the  right,  and  for  the  power 
to  do  it.  He  was  in  earnest ;  and  though  his  prayer  was 
not  spoken,  it  moved  his  soul  down  to  the  depths  of  his 
spiritual  being. 

Three  bells  struck  while  he  was  thus  engaged.  He 
rose  from  the  desk,  and  walked  up  and  down  the  state- 
room several  times.  Suddenly  he  stopped  short.  A 
great  thought  struck  him.  In  an  instant  it  became  a 
great  resolution.  Before  it  had  time  to  grow  cold,  he 
put  on  his  coat  and  cap,  and  went  out  into  the  ward- 
room. Mr,  Transit,  the  master,  Mr.  Grynbock,  the 
paymaster,  and  Dr.  De  Plesion,  the  surgeon,  were  there, 
discussing  the  anticipated  attacks  on  Mobile  and  Wil- 
mington. Somers  felt  no  interest  in  the  conversation  at 
this  time.  He  went  on  deck,  where  he  found  Captam 
Cascabel  and  the  first  lieutenant,  smoking  their  cigars. 
"Waiting  till  the  captain  went  below,  he  touched  his  cap 
to  Mr.  Hackleford. 

"  Mr.  Somers  ?  " 


LIFE  ON  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  115 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"Not  turned  in,  Mr.  Somers?  You  have  the  mid- 
watch." 

"  If  you  will  excuse  me,  sir,  for  coming  to  you  at  such 
a  tim^  I  wish  to  have  half  au  hour's  conversation  with 
you." 

"With  me?"  said  Mr.  Hackleford,  apparently  much 
surprised  at  such  a  request  at  such  an  hour. 

"  Yes,  sir.  It  is  a  matter  of  the  utmost  consequence, 
or  I  would  not  have  mentioned  it  at  this  time." 

"  Very  well,  Mr.  Somers  ;  I  am  ready  to  hear  you." 

"  Excuse  me,  sir ;  I  would  rather  not  introduce  the 
matter  on  deck." 

"  Well,  come  to  my  state-room." 

"  To  my  state-room,  if  you  please,  Mr.  Hackleford." 

"  Why  not  mine  ?  " 

"  I  am  afraid  the  person  most  deeply  concerned  will 
overhear  me.     His  room  is  next  to  yours." 

"  Mr.  Pillgrim  ?  "  exclaimed  the  first  lieutenant. 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  Mr.  Somers,  I  have  a  high  regard  for  you  as  an 
officer  and  a  gentleman,  and  I  am  not  unacquainted 
with  your  past  history.  I  hope  you  have  nothing  to  saj' 
which  will  reflect  on  a  brother  officer." 

"  I  have,  sir." 

*'  Then  I  advise  you  to  think  well  before  you  speak." 

*'  I  am  entirely  prepared  to  speak,  sir." 


116  BRAVE  OLD  SALT,   OR 

"Complaints  against  superior  officers,  Mr.  Somers, 
are  rather  dangerous." 

"  It  is  not  personal,  sir,  though  I  may  be  the  sufferer 
for  making  it." 

Mr.  Hackleford  led  the  way  down  to  the  ward-room. 
The  officers  had  retired  to  their  apartments,  and  there 
was  no  one  to  see  them  enter  the  state-room.  As 
it  was  now  nearly  ten  o'clock,  when  all  officers'  lights 
must  be  extinguished,  Somers  formally  asked  and  ob- 
tained permission  to  burn  his  lamp  till  eleven  o'clock. 
The  first  lieutenant  entered  the  room,  and  Somers  closed 
the  door. 

"  Mr.  Hackleford,  may  I  trouble  you  to  read  this 
statement  ?  "  said  Somers,  as  he  handed  out  the  paper  he 
had  so  carefully  prepared. 

The  first  lieutenant  adjusted  his  eye-glass,  and  read 
the  statement  through,  asking  an  explanation  of  two  or 
three  points  as  he  proceeded.  He  was  deeply  absorbed 
in  the  narrative,  which  was  drawn  up  with  the  utmost 
minuteness. 

"  This  is  an  infernal  scheme,  Mr.  Somers.  I  hope 
you  did  not  permit  the  vessel  to  sail  without  giving 
informatwn  of  her  character." 

"  The  Ben  Nevis  sailed  from  New  York  before  I  could 
do  anything  or  say  a  word,"  said  Somers,  exhibiting 
Langdon's  letter. 

"  That  was  bad.     You  should  have  spoken  before." 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  117 

"  My  paper  explains  my  reasons  for  keeping  still. 
Perhaps  I  was  wrong,  sir,  but  I  did  the  best  I  knew 
how." 

"  And  this  vessel  is  bound  to  Mobile.  We  may  pick 
her  up." 

''  The  note  says  she  is  bound  to  Mobile  ;  but  it  is  not 
true.     That  is  a  blind  to  deceive  me." 

"  Why  should  they  wish  to  deceive  you,  after  giving 
you  their  confidence." 

"  I  don't  know  the  reason." 

"But  what  has  all  this  to  do  with  Mr.  Pillgrim?" 
asked  Mr.  Hackleford. 

"  Mr.  Pillgrim  is  the  person  spoken  of  in  that  paper 
as  Coles." 

"  Impossible  !  "  ejaculated  Mr.  Hackleford,  springing 
to  his  feet. 

"  I  shall  be  able  to  prove  it  by  to-morrow,  sir." 

Somers  then  gave  him  the  substance  of  the  conversa- 
tion between  himself  and  Mr.  Pillgrim. 

"  Why,  this  Coles  wants  something  of  you." 

"  Yes,  sir ;  but  I  don't  know  what.  He  engaged  to 
meet  me  here  at  four  bells  in  the  forenoon  watch  to- 
morrow, when  he  will  tell  me  what  he  wants." 

"  Very  well,  Mr.  Somers  ;  meet  him  as  agreed.  You 
have  played  your  part  well.  When  you  come  together, 
you  must  yield  the  point ;  lead  him  along,  and  you  will 
bag  him,  —  and  the  vessel,  I  hope." 


118  BnAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  The  Ben  Nevis  will  sail  from  St.  John  July  4,  fo< 
Wilmington." 

"  Ah,  then  she  is  about  even  vi^ith  the  Chatauqua.  1 
would  give  a  year's  pay  for  the  privilege  of  catching  her." 

Until  eleven  o'clock  the  two  officers  consulted  charts, 
and  figured  up  the  time  of  the  Ben  Nevis. 


LIFE   ON   THE    QUARTER   DECK,  119 


CHAPTER    XI. 


AFTER  g::neral  quarters. 


{""^^     T    eleven    o'clock,    when    the     master-at-arms 

71       knocked  at  the  door  of  the  fourth  lieutenant, 

>«^/%/  to  inform  him  th^t  it  was  time  to  put  out  his 

light,  the  calculations  in  regard  to  the  position 

of   the  Ben  Nevis  had   been  made  and  verified.     Mr. 

Hackleford,   after  counselling   prudence  and  precaution, 

retired  to  his  state-room.     Somers  threw  himself  on  his 

cot,  and  having   eased  his  mind  of   the  heavy  burden 

which  had  rested  upon  it,  he  went  to  sleep.     But  there 

was  only  an  hour  of  rest  for  him,  for  at  twelve  o'clock 

he  was  to  take  the  deck. 

When  eight  bells  struck,  he  turned  out,  much  re- 
freshed by  his  short  nap,  to  relieve  Mr.  Garboard.  It 
was  a  beautiful  night,  with  only  a  gentle  breeze  from  the 
westward,  and  the  ship  was  doing  her  ten  knots  without 
making  any  fuss  about  it.  Somers  took  the  trumpet, 
which  the  officer  of  the  deck  always  carries  as  the 
emblem  of  his  office,  and  commenced  his  walk  on  the 
weather  side> 


120  BltAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

Though  he  carefully  watched  the  compasses,  and  saw 
that  the  sheets  were  hauled  close  home,  he  could  not  help 
thinking  of  the  startling  events  which  had  transpired  on 
the  preceding  evening.  But  he  was  satisfied  with  him- 
self now.  He  had  purged  himself  of  all  appearance  of 
complicity  with  the  enemies  of  his  country,  and  he  fully 
expected  that  Pillgrim  would  be  put  under  arrest  within 
the  next  forty-eight  hours.  The  consciousness  of  duty 
done  made  him  happy  and  contented.  The  first  lieuten- 
ant had  even  praised  him  for  the  manner  in  which  he 
had  conducted  the  delicate  business,  and  did  not  lay 
any  stress  on  the  oath  of  allegiance,  or  the  commander's 
commission. 

For  his  four  hours  he  "  planked  the  deck,"  thinking  of 
the  past  and  hopeful  of  the  future.  At  eight  bells  he 
sent  a  midshipman  down  to  call  Mr.  Pillgrim.  "While  he 
was  waiting  to  be  relieved,  he  could  not  help  considering 
what  a  risk  it  was  to  leave  that  noble  ship  in  the  hands 
of  a  traitor  ;  but  Somers  had  given  all  the  information  he 
had  to  Mr.  Hackleford,  and  the  responsibility  did  not 
rest  upon  himself.  The  first  lieutenant  was  an  able  and 
discreet  officer,  and  would  not  permit  the  Chatauqua  to 
be  imperilled  even  for  a  moment. 

"  Good  morning,  Mr.  Somers,"  said  Lieutenant  Pill- 
grim, as  he  came  on  deck. 

"  Good  morning,  Mr.  Pillgrim,"  replied  Somers,  with 
all  the  courtesy  due  to  the  quarter  deck. 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER   DECK.  121 

"  A  fiue  morning." 

"  Beautiful  weather." 

"  You  have  had  a  good  opportunity  to  think  over  oui 
business.     How  do  you  feel  about  it  ?  " 

"  Just  right,  I  hope." 

*'  I  am  glad  to  hear  it.  Have  you  seen  anything  of 
the  Ben  Nevis  ?  " 

"  Of  the  Ben  Nevis  !  No,  sir ;  I  don't  expect  to  sea 
her  here." 

"  We  may,"  replied  Pillgrim,  as  he  took  the  trumpet. 

"  Isn't  she  going  to  Mobile  ?  " 

"  We'll  talk  of  her  during  the  forenoon  watch,"  added 
the  second  lieutenant,  as  he  turned  on  his  heel  and 
walked  forward. 

Somers  went  below.  As  he  entered  the  ward-room, 
Mr.  Hackleford  came  out  of  his  state-room.  This  gen- 
tleman evidently  intended  to  keep  a  sharp  lookout  for  the 
officer  of  the  deck  during  his  watch.  He  asked  the 
relieved  officer  if  anything  more  had  transpired,  and  the 
unimportant  conversation  which  had  just  taken  place  was 
fully  reported  to  him. 

"  Mr.  Somers,  I  haven't  slept  an  hour  during  the  night. 
There  are  one  or  two  points  in  your  statement  which 
were  a  little  dark  to  me,"  said  Mr.  Hackleford. 

"  More  than  that  of  it  is  dark  to  me.     I  do  not  pro- 
fess to  understand  the  whole  of  it.     I  only  state  the  facts 
from  my  own  point  of  view." 
11 


122  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  You  listened  to  this  talk  between  Coles  and  Langdou 
at  the  sailors'  boardiug-house  in  Front  Street?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"  If  you  saw  Coles  there,  how  could  —  " 

"  I  didn't  see  him,  sir ;  I  only  heard  him." 

"  That  accounts  for  it,"  said  Mr.  Hackleford,  musing. 
"  Didn't  you  recognize  Mr.  Pillgrim's  voice?  " 

"  No,  sir ;  I  think  he  changed  it ;  though  the  two 
tones  were  so  similar  that  I  might  have  recognized  it,  if 
I  had  suspected  they  were  the  same  person." 

Mr.  Hackleford  asked  other  questions,  which  Somers 
answered  with  strict  regard  to  the  truth,  rather  than  with 
the  intention  of  removing  the  first  lieutenant's  doubts. 
He  wanted  only  facts  himself,  and  he  was  careful  not  to 
distort  them,  in  order  to  confirm  any  theory  of  his  own 
or  of  his  superior  officer. 

Mr.  Hackleford  went  on  deck,  and  Somers  turned  in. 
He  was  in  condition  to  sleep  now,  and  he  improved  his 
four  hours  below  to  the  best  advantage. 

After  general  quarters,  when  the  crew  were  dismissed, 
he  went  down  to  his  state-room,  prepared  to  meet  Mr. 
Pillgrim.  He  was  surprised  to  know  how  little  curiosity 
lie  felt  to  learn  what  the  traitor  wanted  and  expected  of 
him.  Punctual  to  the  appointed  time,  which  exhibited 
the  interest  he  felt  in  the  expected  interview,  the  treach- 
erous second  lieutenant  made  his  appearance.  Somers 
received    him    as   one    officer   should    receive    another. 


LIFE   ON   THE    QUARTER   DECK.  123 

though  it  was  hard  work  for  him  to  disguise  the  con- 
tempt and  detestation  wiih  which  he  regarded  the  traitor, 

"•  Well,  Somers,  now  I  am  to  tell  you  what  I  want  of 
you.  It  isn't  much,  as  I  warned  you  before  ;  and  I  am 
very  glad  to  see  that  you  are  in  such  a  happy  frame  of 
mind." 

"  I  am  ready  to  hear  you,  and  do  the  best  I  can,"  re- 
plied Somers,  carefully  following  the  instructions  of  Mr.- 
Hackleford  with  regard  to  matter  and  manner. 

He  had  been  cautioned  to  be  ready  enough  in  listening 
to  the  chief  conspirator,  but  not  too  ready,  so  as  to  be- 
tray his  object. 

"  Good  !     I  think  you  understand  me  now." 

"  I  think  I  do,  sir." 

"  I  am  sorry  to  do  it,  but  it  is  necessary  for  me  to 
remind  you  again  that  your  fate  is  in  my  hands  ;  that  a 
word  from  me  would  subject  you  to  a  trial  by  court 
martial  for  treason,  and  probably  to  more  hemp  rope 
than  would  feel  good  about  your  neck." 

"  Though  I  don't  think  I  am  in  so  much  danger  as 
you  represent,  I  will  grant  your  position." 

"  Don't  grant  it,  if  you  think  it  is  not  correct ; "  and 
Mr,  Pillgrim  minutely  detailed  the  evidence  which  could 
be  brought  to  bear  against  him. 

Somers  appeared  to  be  overwhelmed  by  this  array  of 
testimony.  He  groaned,  looked  hopeless,  and  finally 
granted  the  traitor's  position  in  full. 


124  BliAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  I  am  in  your  power.  Do  with  me  as  you  will.  Of 
course  the  moment  I  put  my  foot  on  a  rebel  deck  I  am 
ruined." 

"  You  can  do  as  you  please  about  going  into  the  Con- 
federate service.  What  I  want  of  you  will  not  compro- 
mise you  as  a  loyal  man  in  the  slightest  degree." 

"  What  do  you  want  of  me  ?  " 

"  Not  quite  so  loud,  if  you  please,  Mr.  Somers,"  said 
the  lieutenant,  glancing  at  the  door.  "  To  me,  Somers, 
you  have  been  a  thorn.  You  lost  me  the  Snowden,  and 
the  valuable  cargo  of  the  Theban." 

"  I  only  did  my  duty,"  pleaded  Somers. 

"  Bah  !  don't  use  that  word  to  me  again.  Through 
you  a  fortune  slipped  through  my  fingers.  I  should  havt 
got  the  Snowden  into  Wilmington,  if  you  had  not  med» 
died  Avith  the  matter.  I  have  lost  eighty  thousand  dollars 
by  you." 

"  Of  course  I  had  no  ill  will  against  you  personally." 

"  Very  true  ;  if  you  had,  you  would  have  been  a  dead 
man  before  this  time.  Phil  Kennedy  was  a  fool,  but  he 
was  my  best  friend.  I  have  his  bond  for  forty  thousana 
dollars,  which  is  waste  paper  just  now.  Phil  fell  by 
your  hand." 

"  It  was  in  fair  fight." 

"  Nonsense !  What  matter  is  it  to  me  how  he  fell, 
whether  it  was  in  fair  fight  or  foul  ?  He  is  dead ;  that 
is  all." 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  125 

"What  has  all  this  to  do  with  me?"  asked  Somers. 
with  seeming  impatience. 

"  Much,  my  dear  felloAv.  Phil  was  to  marry  Ka.e 
Portington  ;  was  to  pocket  her  fortune.  You  have  cut 
him  out.  You  will  marry  her,  and  in  due  time  come 
into  possession  of  a  million.  The  commodore  is  apo- 
plectic, and  will  not  live  many  years.  Do  you  see  my 
point?" 

"  I  do  not,"  answered  Somers,  disgusted  with  this 
heartless  statement. 

"  As  you  cheated  me  out  of  the  Snowden,  as  you 
killed  Phil  Kennedy,  as  you  will  marry  Kate  Portington, 
I  propose  that  you  assume  and  pay  Phil's  bond." 

"I?" 

"  Certainly  —  you  ;  Mr.  Somers  ;  Kate's  prodigy," 
laughed  Pillgrim. 

"  Never  !  "  exclaimed  Somers,  jumping  to  his  feet. 

"  You  speak  too  loud,  Mr.  Somers." 

"  Am  1  a  dog,  or  a  snake,  or  a  toad,  that  I  should  do 
such  an  unclean  thing?" 

The  traitor  took  from  his  pocket  the  oath  of  allegiance, 
opened  it,  and  in  silence  thrust  it  into  his  compauiou's 
face. 

"  I  have  sold  myself." 

"  You  have,  Somers.  Think  of  it.  If  I  have  to  make 
out  a  case  against  you,  of  course  you  will  never  see  Kate 
again.  Let  me  add,  that  the  commodore  sets  his  life  by 
11* 


126  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

me.     We  were  old  friends  before  the  war.     You  may 
marry  his  daughter  with  my  consent,  but  not  without  it." 

"  I  never  thought  of  such  a  thing." 

"  Perhaps  not.  We  Avaste  time.  Will  you  sign  the 
bond  ?  " 

"  The  bond  is  good  for  nothing.     No  court —  " 

"  That  is  my  affair.  If  you  agree  to  it,  I  will  run  all 
risks.  I  trouble  no  courts.  If  you  don't  pay,  I  have 
only  to  speak,  and  hang  you  then." 

"  I  am  lost,"  groaned  Somers. 

"  No,  you  are  not.  Sign,  and  vou  have  found  fortune 
and  a  friend." 

"  I  dare  not  sign." 

"  You  dare  not  refuse. 

Somers  walked  up  and  down  the  state-room,  appar- 
ently in  great  mental  agony. 

"  Shall  I  sign?  "  said  he,  in  a  loud  tone,  as  though  he 
were  speaking  to  the  empty  air. 

"  Not  so  loud,  man  !  "  interposed  Pillgrim,  angrily. 

At  that  instant  two  light  raps  were  distinctly  heard. 

"  What's  that?  "  demanded  the  traitor,  greatly  alarmed. 

"  I  will  sign  it,"  promptly  added  Somers,  to  whom  the 
two  raps  seemed  to  be  perfectly  intelligible. 

"What  was  that  noise?"  asked  Pillgrim,  fearfully. 
^'  Is  there  any  one  in  Garboard's  state-room?  " 

"  I  think  not." 

The  second  lieutenant  was  not  satisfied.     He  opened 


LIFE    ON    TEE    QUARTER    DECK  12? 

^he  door  aud  looked  into  the  adjoining  state-room,  but 
tliere    was   no    person    there,    and    the    ward-room    was 
empty.     There  was  no  one  within  hearing,  and  the  con 
spirator  recovered  his  wonted  self-possession. 

"  You  will  sign?  "  said  he.  * 

''  I  will." 

"  I  knew  you  would,  and  therefore  I  prepared  the  doc- 
ument ;  read  it,"  he  continued,  taking  a  paper  from  his 
pocket. 

Somers  read.  It  was  simply  an  agreement  to  pay 
forty  thousand  dollars,  when  he  married  Kate  Porting- 
ton,  in  consideration  of  certain  assistance  rendered  the 
signer,  but  without  any  allusion  to  the  circumstances 
under  which  it  was  given.  As  a  legal  document,  of 
course  it  was  good  for  nothing,  as  both  parties  well 
understood.     Somers  signed  it. 

"  Now,  Mr.  Somers,  we  are  friends,"  said  Pillgrim, 
as  he  folded  up  the  paper,  and' restored  it  to  his  pocket. 
*'  You  have  done  me  a  good  turn,  and  I  have  done  you 
one." 

Somers,  unwilling  to  regard  Pillgrim  as  a  fool,  be- 
lieved that  this  paper  was  intended  to  ruin  him  in  the 
estimation  of  the  Portington  family,  and  that  the  villain 
intended  to  marry  her  himself  when  her  apparent  suitor 
was  disposed  of. 

"  Is  this  all  you  expect  of  me?  "  asked  Somers. 

"  This  is  the  priiu  ipal  thing.     I  may  have  occasion  to 


128  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

lise  you  again  ;  if  I  do,  I  skall  not  hesitate  to  call  upon 
you.     You  are  in  my  confidence  now." 

"  Will  you  tell  me,  then,  where  the  Ben  Nevis  13 
bound?  I  may  want  to  find  her,  for  I  haven't  nuich 
tasfe  for  the  old  navy  now." 

"  Ah,  you  make  better  progress  than  I  anticipated. 
She  is  bound  to  St.  Marks." 

This  was  a  lie,  as  Somers  well  knew. 

"  Coles  and  Langdon  said  she  was  to  make  Mobile." 

"■  The  plan  was  changed.  You  must  not  lay  much 
stress  on  what  you  heard  that  night.  It  was  all  a  blind, 
—  or  most  of  it  was." 

"Indeed?" 

"  The  conversation  at  the  house  in  Front  Street  was 
carried  on  for  your  especial  benefit,"  added  Pillgrim, 
laughing  and  rubbing  his  hands.  "  Langdon  wrote  both 
letters  about  the  wounded  sailor  ;  there  was  no  such  per- 
son. The  old  woman  that  kept  the  house  was  in  my 
pay.  When  I  spoke  so  warmly  in  your  praise  to  Lang- 
don, I  knew  that  you  were  listening  to  all  I  said  ;  indeed, 
I  said  it  to  you  rather  than  to  Langdon." 

"  W^hy  did  you  tell  me  beforehand,  if  you  intended  t: 
catch  me  with  the  treasonable  offer?"  asked  Somers, 
rather  mortified  to  learn  that  he  had  been  duped  from 
ll.e  beginning. 

"  I  knew  you  would  pretend  to  accept  it.  All  I 
wanted  was  to  get  you  to  take  the  commission,  orders, 


LIFE   ON   THE    QUARTER   DECK.  129 

and  oath.  As  you  agreed  to  sign  the  latter,  Langdon 
did  it  for  you,  for  I  could  not  wait," 

"The  Beu  Nevis  is  no  humbug?" 

"  No  ;  I  bought  her  and  two  other  steamers  on  the 
Clyde,  in  Scotland.  The  Ben  Nevis  was  captured,  but 
my  friends  bought  her  after  she  was  condemned.  As 
there  had  been  a  great  deal  said  about  her  in  the  news- 
papers, I  used  her  because  it  was  probable  you  had 
neard  of   her." 

"  I  had." 

"  Everything  works  as  I  intended." 

"  Not  exactly,"  thought  Somers. 

"  The  captain  of  the  coaster  that  pounded  you  that 
night  was  Langdon,"  laughed  Pilgrim. 

"Why  was  that  done?" 

"  That  I  might  take  you  back  to  the  hotel,  and  be 
your  friend.  We  did  not  intend  to  hurt  you  much.  It 
was  important  that  you  should  think  well  of  me.  You 
do  —  don't  you  ?  " 

"  Of  course." 

"All  right  now;  remember  you  are  mine,  Somers," 
said  Pillgrim,  as  he  left  the  room. 


130  BRAVE    OLD    SALT.    OR 


CHAPTER   XII. 


THE    BEN   NEVIS. 


/^^fc^'HE  Chatauqua  rolled  alono;  easily  on  her  course 
#1 1  during  the  rest  of  the  day,  until  the  dog  watch, 
^^_ly  when  Mr.  Pillgrim  had  the  deck  again.  Somers, 
having  discharged  his  whole  duty  in  reference  to  the  con- 
spiracy, was  content  to  leave  the  matter  in  the  hands  of 
Mr.  Hackleford,  to  whom  he  had  committed  it. 

At  eight  bells,  as  soon  as  Somers  had  been  relieved 
from  the  afternoon  watch,  he  was  not  a  little  surprised  to 
receive  a  message  from  the  captain,  inviting  him  to  his 
cabin.  He  readily  came  to  the  conclusion  that  the  sum- 
mons related  to  the  conspiracy.  When  he  entered  the 
cabin,  he  saw  Captain  Cascabel  and  Mr.  Hackleford 
seated  at  the  table,  on  which  was  spread  a  general  chart 
of  the  coast  of  the  United  States. 

"  Say  what  you  wish  to  Mr.  Somers,"  said  the  captain 
to  the  first  lieutenant. 

"  Mr.  Somers,  Captain  Cascabel  has  sent  for  you  in 
relation  to  the  affair  of  which  we  talked  in  your  state- 
room last  night,"  Mr-  Hackleford  began      "  All  that  you 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  \Z\ 

have  written  out  in  your  statement,  and  all  that  yoa  tol(f 
me,  have  been  fully  confirmed." 

"  I  intended  to  confine  myself  strictly  to  the  facts," 
replied  Somers,  modestly. 

"  You  have  been  very  discreet  and  very  prudent,'' 
added  Mr.  Hackleford. 

"  I  fully  concur,"  said  Captain  Cascabel.  "  You  have 
exposed  yourself  to  no  little  peril,  in  your  zeal  to  serve 
your  country." 

Somers  bowed  and  blushed. 

"  I  confess  that  I  had  some  doubts  in  regard  to  the 
result  of  your  operations,  Mr.  Somers,"  continued  the 
first  lieutenant ;  "  but  I  am  entirely  satisfied  now  that 
Mr.  Pillgrim  is  just  what  you  represent  him  to  be." 

"  All  that  you  affirmed  has  been  fully  verified,"  added 
the  captain. 

He  did  not  say  that  both  himself  and  Mr.  Hackleford 
had  listened  to  the  entire  conversation  between  Somers 
and  the  traitor  in  the  forenoon,  occupying  one  of  the 
captain's  state-rooms,  which  adjoined  the  starboard  side 
of  the  ward-room,  having  bored  a  couple  of  holes  through 
the  partition,  behind  the  bureau ;  he  did  not  say  this, 
for  it  was  hardly  dignified  for  a  captain  to  play  the  eaves- 
dropper, even  in  a  good  cause.  Somers  kuew  that  Mr. 
Hackleford  was  at  hand  at  the  time,  and  had  arranged  a 
set  of  signals  by  which  he  could  advise  the  young  officer, 
if  he  should  be  in  doubt.     One  rap  meant,  "  No  ;  "  two 


132  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OX 

raps,  "  Yes  ;  "  and  three  raps,  "  Give  no  direct  answer." 
When  Somers  was  in  doubt  respecting  the  bond,  he 
asked  the  question  of  the  empty  air,  apparently,  but 
really  of  Mr.  Hackleford,  who  had  promptly  replied  in 
the  affirmative  by  giving  the  two  knocks,  which  had 
startled  the  traitor. 

"  Mr.  Somers,  what  do  you  know  of  the  Ben  Nevis?  " 
asked  the  captain. 

"  She  was  to  sail  from  St.  John  on  the  4th  of  July, 
to  run  the  blockade  at  Wilmington.  She  is  said  to  make 
sixteen  knots,  under  favorable  circumstances." 

"  She  has  had  a  head  wind  part  of  the  time.  If  she 
has  made  twelve  on  the  average,  she  has  done  well,"  said 
Mr.  Hackleford. 

"  She  will  be  due  off  Cape  Fear  some  time  after 
meridian  to-morrow,"  added  the  captain,  consulting  a 
paper,  on  which  were  several  arithmetical  operations. 

The  calculations  were  carefully  reviewed,  and  Somers 
was  questioned  at  considerable  length ;  but  he  had 
already  given  all  the  information  he  possessed.  It  was 
evidently  the  intention  of  Captaiu  Cascabel  to  capture 
the  Ben  Nevis,  though  he  did  not  announce  his  purpose. 

"  After  what  has  occurred,  jMr.  Somers,  you  may  be 
surprised  that  Mr.  Pillgrim  has  not  beeu  relieved  fron? 
duty  and  placed  under  arrest,"  continued  Captaiu  Casca- 
bel, after  the  position  of  the  Ben  Nevis  had  been  care- 
fully estimated. 


LIFE    ON   THE    QUARTER   DECK.  13b 

"  I  leave  the  matter  entirely  in  the  hands  of  my 
superior  officers,"  replied  Somers.  "  Having  cast  the 
responsibility  upon  them,  I  am  willing  to  obey  orders 
without  asking  any  questions." 

"  That  is  a  very  proper  view  to  take  of  the  subject, 
and  I  commend  your  moderation,"  said  the  captain,  with 
a  pleasant  smile.  "  It  has  been  thought  best  not  to  dis- 
turb Mr.  Pillgrim  for  a  day  or  two,  for  other  events  may 
transpire." 

Captain  Cascabel  bowed  to  Somers,  and  intimated  that 
he  had  no  further  need  of  him  at  present. 

"  Ah,  Mr.  Somers,  been  visiting  the  captain,"  said 
the  second  lieutenant,  as  his  victim  came  on  deck. 

"  I  was  sent  for." 

"  What  was  the  business?" 

Fortunately,  Mr.  Transit,  who  was  planking  the  deck 
on  the  lee  side,  approached  near  enough  to  enable  Somers 
to  avoid  answering  the  question,  and  he  thus  escaped  the 
necessity  of  telling  a  falsehood.  But  as  soon  as  Mr. 
Garboard  took  the  deck,  Pillgrim  repeated  the  inquiry, 
and  the  young  officer  was  obliged  to  narrate  an  imagi- 
nary conversation. 

"  It's  no  matter,  Somers.  You  understand  that  J 
have  a  rope  round  your  neck,  and  I  am  not  at  all  afraid 
that  you  will  make  an  improper  use  of  your  tongue." 

••'  I  certainly  shall  not,"  answered  Somers,  with  em- 
phasis.    "  You  may  depend  upon  me  for  that." 
12 


134  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  The  fact  is,  Somers,  I  have  got  a  mortgage  on  yoa^ 
and  I  want  no  better  security  for  your  good  conduct." 

*'  You  needn't  trouble  yourself  at  all  about  me/' 

"  I  shall  not ;  because,  if  you  wish  to  betray  me,  1 
should  rather  enjoy  it.  I  have  been  your  best  friend. 
Instead  of  blowing  your  brains  out  for  making  an  end 
of  poor  Phil  Kennedy,  I  have  taken  you  into  my  confi- 
dence. You  shall  marry  the  prettiest  and  the  richest 
girl  north  of  the  Potomac;  and  when  Union  officers  are 
proscribed  and  condemned  after  the  war,  you  will  have 
H  friend  at  court  who  will  speak  a  good  word  for  you." 

"  Thank  you  ;  but  do  you  really  believe  that  the  South 
rill  carry  the  day  ?  " 

"  I'm  sure  of  it.  England  is  our  best  friend ;  and 
Louis  Napoleon,  in  order  to  complete  his  Mexican 
scheme,  must  recognize  the  Confedeiracy.  When  France 
does  the  job,  England  will  be  only  one  day  behind  her." 

"  K  I  go  with  you,  I  shall  be  on  the  winning  side, 
then." 

'^  If  you  do  ?  You  have  gone  with  me.  Though  I 
don't  ask  you  to  help  the  South  openly,  I  expect  you  to 
be  a  friend  of  the  government  which  must  soon  rule  the 
country.  Leave  it  all  to  me,  Somers,  and  I  will  man- 
age the  business  for  you  and  myself.  You  must  confess, 
Somers,  that  I  am  a  little  ahead  of  you  in  strategy,"  said 
the  traitor,  with  a  complacent  smile. 

"  You  beat  me  in  the  game  we  have  been  playing  ;  but 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.        .  135 

that  only  makes  us  even,  for  I  got  the  better  of  you  in 
another  affair." 

"  Not  of  nie ;  it  was  the  stupidity  of  Phil  Kennedy 
that  ruined  the  Snowden  business.  I  pride  myself  on 
my  strategy,  Somers.  I  have  never  been  beaten  in  any- 
thing of  this  kind  yet.  The  fact  of  it  is,  I  kuow  whom 
to  trust.  I  never  give  my  confidence  to  a  man  who 
dares  to  betray  it,"  replied  Pillgrim,  rubbing  his  hands 
with  delight  at  his  own  cleverness. 

Somers  was  of  the  opinion  that  he  would  think  differ- 
ently before  many  days  had  elapsed ;  but  he  was  as 
prudent  as  the  circumstances  required. 

At  eight  bells,  the  fourth  lieutenant  took  the  deck  for 
the  first  watch  ;  and  from  that  time  until  the  following 
afternoon,  he  saw  but  little  of  the  conspirator.  At  this 
time,  the  ship  was  off  Cape  Fear,  though  too  far  out  to 
sight  the  land,  or  even  the  outer  line  of  blockaders  which 
kept  vigilant  watch  over  the  entrance  to  the  river.  Pre- 
cisely at  the  moment  when  one  bell  struck  in  the  first 
dog-watch,  the  engine  of  tlie  Chatauqua,  without  any 
order  from  the  officer  of  the  deck,  and  without  any  ap- 
parent reason,  suddenly  stopped. 

It  had  proved  itself  to  be  a  very  good  and  well-mean- 
ing engine,  thus  far,  and  all  hands  began  to  wonder  what 
had  happened,  or  what  was  going  to  happen.  But  Mr. 
Cranklin,  the  chief  engineer,  presently  reported  that 
there  was    a   "  screw    loose "    somewhere,   and  that   it 


136  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

would  be  recessary  to  lay  to,  and  make  some  repairs. 
Certainly  it  was  a  very  opportune  moment  for  the  ship 
to  stop  ;  and  those  who  did  not  know  what  had  passed 
between  the  chief  engineer  and  the  first  lieutenant  might 
liave  supposed  that  the  zealous  engine,  heretofore  so  faith- 
fr.l  in  the  discharge  of  its  trying  duties,  had  overheard 
some  of  the  conversation  we  have  related,  and  Avas  wait- 
ing for  the  Ben  Nevis  to  sliow  herself  to  seaward. 

In  further  confirmation  that  the  stoppage  was  not  en- 
tirely owing  to  the  obstinacy  of  the  engine,  it  was 
observed  that  extra  lookout  men  had  been  stationed  on 
the  fore  yard,  and  on  the  cross-trees,  since  meridian  of 
that  day.  The  captain  and  the  first  lieutenant  were  often 
seen  in  confidential  communication  ;  and  everybody  on 
board  seemed  to  be  impressed  with  the  idea  that  some- 
thing was  about  to  "  turn  up." 

Something  did  "  turn  up,"  about  three  bells  ;  for  tb» 
man  on  the  fore  cross-trees,  reported  a  vessel  on  the 
beam.  The  dense  mass  of  black  smoke  in  the  wake  of 
her  smoke-stack  indicated  that  slie  was  an  English 
blockade  runner,  approaching  the  coast  so  as  to  run  in 
after  dark.  As  soon  as  this  agreeable  information 
spread  through  the  Chatauqua,  it  created  an  intense 
excitement,  not  manifested  in  noisy  demonstrations,  for 
that  would  have  been  in  violation  of  the  strict  rule  of 
naval  discipline,  but  in  the  expectant  eyes  and  stimu- 
lated  movements    of  the    officers    and   crew,    to    whosa 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  \Z1 

pockets,  as  well  as  to  their  national  pride,  the   prospect 
of  a  rich  prize  appealed  with  tremendous  force. 

At  this  thrilling  moment,  when  everything  depended 
upon  the  sailing  qualities  of  the  Chatauqua,  either  Mr. 
Cranklin  had  completed  his  remedial  efforts,  or  th» 
engine  had  come  to  a  realizing  sense  of  the  proprieties  of 
the  occasion,  and  was  sensible  of  the  appalling  wicked- 
ness of  disappointing  the  two  hundred  and  fifty  anxious 
souls  on  board.  The  docile  macliiue  was  reported  to  be  in 
condition  for  active  service.  Tlie  bells  pealed  forth  the 
signal  to  "  go  ahead  slowly,"  then  "  at  full  speed,"  and 
the  Chatauqua  darted  away. 

"  Hard  a  starboard ! "  said  Mr.  Somers,  now  the 
officer  of  the  deck,  to  the  quartermaster,  who  was  con- 
ning the  wheel. 

"  Hard  a  starboard,  sir  !  " 

"  Steady !  " 

"  Steady,  sir  !  " 

"  What  does  this  mean,  Somers  ?  "  demanded  Pillgrioi, 
in  a  low,  angry  tone,  as  he  passed  the  olHcer  of  the  dec)'. 

"  I  don't  know,  sir.  I  only  obey  orders,"  replied 
Somers,  as  he  glanced  ahead  at  the  chase. 

"Do  you  know  what  steamer  that  is?"  asked 
Pillgrim. 

"How  should  I?" 

"  It  is  the  Ben  Nevis." 

"  How  do  you  know  ?  " 
12* 


138  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  I  know ;  that  is  sufficient.  We  must  save  her," 
said  the  seoonrl  lieutenant,  in  low,  but  excited  tones. 

The  chase  continued  for  half  an  hour  longer,  when  it 
was  evident  that  the  Ben  Nevis  —  for  it  was  indeed  she 
. —  had  changed  her  course,  and  was  headed  to  the  east- 
ward. 

"  This  will  never  do,  Mr.  Somers,"  said  Mr.  Hackle- 
tOrd.  ''  We  can't  sail  with  her.  We  must  change  our 
tactics." 

"  She  gains  upon  us,"  replied  Somers. 

"  No  doubt  of  it." 

"  I  am  afraid  we  shall  lose  her,  sir." 

"  I  would  give  my  year's  pay  to  capture  her,  Mr. 
Somers,  if  it  were  only  for  your  sake." 

Somers  suggested  an  idea  to  the  first  lieutenant,  who, 
after  the  approval  of  Captain  Cascabel,  adopted  it. 

"  Clear  away  the  first  cutter,"  said  Mr.  Hackleford. 
"  Lower  away." 

The  first  cutter  was  soon  in  the  water,  the  ship  having 
nov/  stopped  her  engine. 

"  Mr.  Pillgrim,  you  will  stand  by  in  the  first  cutter 
till  that  steamer  comes  up.  Capture  her  if  her  papers 
are  not  all  right,  or  if  she  is  bound  into  Wilmington." 

A  smile  of  satisfaction  lighted  up  the  countenance  of 
the  second  lieutenant,  when  he  found  he  was  to  go  in  the 
boat.     The  first  cutter  pulled  away. 

"  Clear  away  the  second  cutter  ! "  said  the  first  lieu- 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  139 

tenant :  and  while  the  men  were  eagerly  performing  thia 
duty,  the  captain  instructed  Somers,  who  was  to  go  in 
her,  in  regard  to  the  duty  he  was  expected  to  perform. 

Somers  took  his  place  in  the  stern-sheets  of  the  second 
cutter,  which  w^as  armed  with  a  twenty-four  pounder 
howitzer,  while  the  first  cutter  had  nothing  but  small 
arms.  As  soon  as  this  boat  left  the  ship's  side,  the  Ch'a- 
tauqua  came  about,  as  though  she  had  abandoned  the 
chase,  and  stood  to  the  westward. 

The  Ben  Nevis  immediately  discovered  the  change 
which  had  been  made  in  the  course  of  her  pursuer.  Ap- 
parently satisfied  that  she  had  outwitted  the  man-of-war, 
she  put  about  and  headed  towards  the  coast  again,  with- 
out suspecting  the  fact  that  two  boats  lay  in  her  track. 


140  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OB 


CHAPTER    XIII 


A    CONFLICT    OF    AUTHORITY. 


'T  was  about  sunset  when  the  Ben  Nevis  put 
about  and  headed  in  shore.  The  first  cutter 
was  at  least  half  a  mile  in  advance  of  the 
second,  and  both  of  them  lying  near  the  track 
of  the  blockade-runner.  It  was  useless  to  pull  towards 
the  expected  prize  ;  on  the  contrary,  it  was  better  policy 
to  keep  still,  so  as  not  to  attract  the  attention  of  her 
people. 

The  Ben  Nevis,  when  she  changed  her  course,  might 
have  been  about  five  miles  distant  from  the  Chatauqua, 
and  the  longer  the  meeting  between  the  steamer  and  the 
boats  was  deferred,  the  more  would  the  darkness  favor 
the  latter.  It  was  thought  that  the  blockade-runner 
would  approach  at  half  speed,  so  as  not  to  encounter  the 
fleet  off  the  river  at  too  early  an  hour ;  but  her  com- 
mander did  not  appear  to  regard  this  delay  as  necessary, 
and  came  down  at  full  speed.  It  was  not  dark,  there- 
fore, when  the  first  cutter  was  within  hail  of  her. 
As  soon  as  the  Ben  Nevis  discovered  the  nearest  boat, 


LIFE    Oy    THE    QUART  Ell    DECK.  14\ 

she  sheered  off,  though,  as  the  first  cutter  had  no  how- 
itzer, she  could  l)Hve  everytliing  her  own  way.  Somers 
kept  the  second  cutter  just  out  of  hail  of  the  other  boat ; 
and  carefully  watched  the  operations  of  the  second  lieu- 
tenant. 

The  steamer  sheered  off  just  enough  to  avoid  the  boat ; 
but  presently  she  resumed  her  course,  as  if,  making 
twelve  knots,  she  had  nothing  to  fear  from  an  enemy 
with  oars  only  to  urge  her  forward.  It  would  be  impos- 
sible for  the  first  cutter  to  board  her  at  full  speed,  and 
she  seemed  disposed  to  run  the  risk  of  a  shot  or  two 
rather  than  expose  herself  to  falling  into  any  other  trap 
which  the  man-of-war  might  have  set  for  her. 

The  Ben  Nevis  dashed  on,  therefore,  in  a  direction 
which  placed  the  first  cutter  on  her  starboard  bow,  when 
Mr.  Pillgrim  hailed  her,  and  ordered  her  to  heave  to, 
accompanying  the  command  with  a  peculiar  wave  of  his 
cap  in  the  air,  which  was  thrice  repeated,  very  much  to 
the  astonishment,  no  doubt,  of  the  loyal  blue-jackets  in 
the  boat  with  him. 

"  Topple  my  timber-heads !  What  does  all  that 
mean  ?  "  exclaimed  Boatswain  Longstone,  who,  by  the 
especial  request  of  the  fourth  lieutenant,  had  a  place 
in  the  stern-sheets  of  the  second  cutter. 

"  Wait,  and  you  will  see,"  replied  Mr.  Somers. 

The  Ben  Nevis  at  once  stopped  her  wheels,  and  the 
first  cutter  pulled  towards  her. 


142  bRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"•  That  beats  me  !  "  ejaculated  the  boatswain.  "  What 
did  she  stop  for?  " 

"  Probably  her  captain  thinks  that  is  his  best  course," 
replied  Somers,  who  knew  very  well  why  she  had 
stopped. 

The  commander  of  the  blockade-runner  evidently  rec- 
ognized the  voice  and  the  signal  of  Pillgrim,  and,  like  an 
obedient  servant,  was  willing  to  shift  the  responsibility 
of  the  occasion  on  his  owner  and  employer.  Honest 
Tom  Longstone  was  sorely  perplexed  by  the  movement 
of  the  steamer  and  the  conduct  of  the  second  lieutenant 
of  the  Chatauqua,  for  a  suspicion  of  foul  play  on  the 
part  of  one  of  his  officers  could  not  have  entered  his 
loyal  heart. 

The  first  cutter  touched  the  side  of  the  Ben  Nevis,  and 
Mr.  Pillgrim  went  up  the  accommodation  ladder. 

"  Clear  away  the  howitzer  !  "  said  Somers. 

The  boatswain  looked  at  him  as  though  he  had  beeia 
mad. 

"  Man  the  howitzer  !  " 

The  gun  was  loaded  with  a  solid  shot,  and  made  ready 
for  instant  use. 

"  Now  give  way,  boatswain,"  continued  Somers  ;  and 
the  second  cutter  dashed  swiftly  over  the  long  billows 
towards  the  Ben  Nevis. 

"  Are  you  going  to  use  that  gim  ?  "  asked  Tom  Long 
stone,  in  a  low  tone. 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  143 

"  If  aecevSsary." 

"  But  Mr.  Fillgrim  has  the  steamer.  He  has  boarder! 
her." 

"•  We  will  wait  and  see,"  answered  Somers,  evasively ; 
for  it  w^as  expected  and  intended  that  the  second  lieuteu- 
ant  should  "  hang  himself,"  on  this  interesting  occasion. 

Before  the  second  cutter  could  reach  the  steamer,  Mr. 
Pillgrim  had  completed  his  examination  on  board  of  her, 
and  descended  to  his  boat.  As  he  gave  the  order  for 
the  cutter  to  shove  off,  Somers's  boat  shot  in  alongside 
of  her. 

"  She  is  all  right,  Mr.  Somers,"  said  the  second  lieu- 
tenant. 

*'  All  right?  "  exclaimed  Somers  ;  and,  in  spite  of  him- 
self, he  actually  trembled  with  emotion,  being  conscious 
that  a  very  trying  scene  was  before  him  —  one  which 
would  require  all  liis  skill  and  all  his  energy. 

"  I  say  she  is  all  right,  Mr.  Somers,"  repeated  Fill- 
grim,  sharply,  for  he  did  not  appear  to  like  the  tone  and 
manner  of  the  fourth  lieutenant. 

"What  is  she?" 

"  She  is  an  American  steamer  from  Baltimore,  bound 
to  Havana." 

"  Wiiat  is  she  doing  in  Iiere,  then?"  demanded  Somers. 

'•  That's  her  affair-  Don't  jou  see  the  American  flag 
at  her  peak  ?  " 

"  What  is  her  name  ?  " 


<44  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OS 

"  The  Ben  Nevis,"  replied  Pillgrim,  with  the  most 
expressive  emphasis.  "  Sheer  off,  and  return  to  the 
ship." 

"  I  think  she  is  a  blockade-runuer." 

"  Do  you,  indeed?"  sneered  the  traitor. 

"  I  am  satisfied  she  is." 

''  I  have  boarded  her,  and  my  report  will  be  final  in 
this  matter." 

"  My  orders  were  to  board  her,"  said  Somers. 

"  Your  orders  ?  " 

"  Yes,  8ir." 

"  I  am  your  superior  officer. 

"  You  are,  Mr.  Pillgi-im." 

*'  Of  course  your  orders  were  intended  to  be  carried 
out,  in  case  you  happened  to  come  up  with  the  steamer 
before  I  did." 

"  I  was  ordered  to  board  her,  Mr.  Pillgrim,  and  I 
feel  compelled  to  obey,"  replied  Somers,  with  firmness, 
though  he  still  trembled  with  emotion. 

"  Steady,  Mr.  Somers ;  be  careful,"  said  Tom  Long- 
stone,  bewildered  by  this  conflict  of  authority  —  a  cir- 
cumstance  he  had  not  before  observed  in  his  long  career 
in  the  navy.     "  He  is  your  superior  officer." 

"  I  know  what  I  am  about,  Tom,"  whispered  Somers, 
compassionating  the  misery  his  apparently  mutinous  ac- 
tioqs  must  cause  his  honest  frieud. 

*'  If  you  do,  go  ahead,  my  darling." 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUAIiTER    DECK.  145 

"  Mr.  Somers,  I  order  you  to  return  to  the  ship,"  said 
Mr.  Pillgrim,  steruly. 

"  I  must  obey  the  captain's  orders,  and  board  this 
steamer." 

"  You  mistake  your  orders,  and  I  insist  that  you  obey 
me." 

"  You  will  excuse  me  if  I  disregard  your  command  ; 
and  I  will  be  answerable  to  the  captain  for  my  con- 
duct." 

"■  The  captain  is  not  here  ;  I  am  your  superior  officer. 
Disobey  me  at  your  peril !  "  continued  Pillgrim,  in  sav- 
age tones. 

"  Is  it  all  right  ? "  shouted  the  captain  of  the  Ben 
Nevis,  who  was  standing  on  the  starboard  paddle-box  of 
the  steamer. 

"  Ay,  ay  ;  all  right.  Start  your  wheels !  "  replied 
Pillgrim. 

"  Captain,  if  you  move  a  wheel,  I  will  fire  into  you  !  " 
added  Somers  ;  and  the  captain  of  the  howitzer  stood, 
with  the  lock-string  in  his  hand,  ready  to  execute  the 
order  when  it  should  be  given. 

The  commander  of  the  Ben  Nevis  looked  down  upon 
the  second  cutter's  gun,  pointing  into  the  hull  of  his 
vessel,  so  that  the  twenty-four  pound  shot  would  pass 
through  her  engine-room.  He  did  not  give  the  order  to 
start  the  wheels.  Pillgrim  was  disconcerted :  he  was 
foiled  in  his  scheme.     By  this  time  he  realized  that  th« 


146  bhave  old  salt,  or 

fourth  lieutenant  of  the  Chatauqua  was  not  the  willing, 
timid  tool  he  had  taken  hiui  to  be. 

The  men  in  both  boats  were  astonished  and  con- 
founded by  the  startling  clash  of  authority  between  their 
officers.  Such  a  thing  had  never  been  known  before. 
They  had  been  surprised  when  Mr.  Piligrim  declared 
that  the  steamer  was  all  right,  for  there  was  not  one  of 
them  who  was  not  perfectly  satisfied  that  the  vessel  waa 
running  in  to  break  the  blockade.  They  were  still  more 
surprised  when  Mr.  Somers  dared  to  dispute  the  con- 
clusions of  his  superior  officer.  Involuntarily  they  took 
sides  with  the  fourth  lieutenant,  because  his  opinion  that 
the  Ben  Nevis  was  not  all  right  coincided  with  their 
own,  and  because  the  prize-money  Avent  with  his  view 
of  the  matter.  But  they  were  well  disciplined  men,  and 
each  crew,  thus  far,  obeyed  the  orders  of  its  own  officer ; 
and,  so  far  as  they  were  concerned,  there  was  no  conflict 
of  command,  though  this  was  likely  soon  to  be  the 
case. 

"  Mr.  Somers,  I  warn  you  —  beware  !  "  said  Piligrim, 
with  the  most  expressive  emphasis. 

"  I  intend  to  do  my  duty,"  replied  Somers. 

"  Bully  for  the  fourth  luff  !  "  shouted  a  seaman  in  the 
second  cutter,  who  felt  disposed  to  take  a  part  in  the 
dispute. 

"  Silence  !  "  interposed  Somers,  sternly,  as  he  perceived 
that  this  bad  example  was  likely  to  be  followed  by  others, 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  147 

and  he  felt  that  the  occasion  was  too  serious  and  sol* 
emu  to  admit  of  anything  like  levity, 

"  Mr.  Somers,  you  know  the  consequences !  "  con* 
tlnued  the  second  lieutenant. 

"I  do." 

"  Remember !  " 

"  I  know  what  I  am  about,"  answered  Somers,  under- 
standing to  what  Pillgrim  alluded,  though  of  course  i*^ 
was  incomprehensible  to  others  in  the  boats.  "  I  shaU 
board  the  steamer." 

"  Do  it  at  your  peril !  " 

"  I  shall  do  it." 

"  This  is  mutiny  !  "  stormed  Pillgrim,  with  an  oath, 
as  he  took  a  revolver  from  his  belt. 

"  I  will  abide  the  consequences,"  replied  Somers, 
drawing  his  pistol. 

"  For  God's  sake,  Mr.  Somers  —  " 

"  Silence,  boatswain  !  " 

"  You  will  ruin  yourself,"  whispered  Tom,  whose 
bronzed  face  was  ghastly  pale,  and  whose  lips  quivered 
with  the  anxiety  he  felt  for  his  protege. 

"  I  am  perfectly  cool,  Tom  ;  don't  be  alarmed  abou* 
me,"  replied  Somers,  tenderly,  as  he  glanced  at  the  ex- 
pression of  suffering  on  the  face  of  his  faithful  ^iend. 
"  That  man  is  a  traitor !  "  he  whispered. 

"  Once  more,  Mr.  Somers,  will  you  obey  me,  or  will 
you  not?"  shouted  Mr.  Pillgrim,  angrily. 


148  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,     trjv 

''  If  you  will  capture  this  steamer,  as  you  chould  do, 
I  will  obey  you  in  all  things,"  replied  Somers.  "  I 
know  she  is  about  to  run  the  blockade,  and  so  do  you." 

"  I  have  examined  her,  and  I  declare  that  her  papers 
ftre  all  right.  My  decision  is  final.  Return  to  the  ship, 
Mr.  Somers,  and  there  ansAver  for  your  mutinous  conduct." 

"  I  shall  board  this  vessel,"  replied  Somers,  as  he 
ordered    the   bowman  to  haul  in  towards  the  steamer. 

"  This  is  mutiny,  and  I  shall  treat  it  as  such.  I  will 
be  obeyed ! " 

Mr.  Pillgrim  raised  his  pistol,  and  fired  at  the  rebel- 
lious officer ;  but  he  was  too  much  excited  to  take  good 
aim,  if,  indeed,  he  intended  to  do  anything  more  than 
intimidate  his  inferior  officer.  The  ball  whistled  within 
a  few  feet  of  Somers's  head,  and  roused  his  belligerent 
spirit.  He  raised  his  revolver  on  the  instant,  before  the 
second  lieutenant  was  ready  to  repeat  his  experiment, 
and  fired. 

The  traitor  sank  down  in  the  stern-sheets  of  the  cutter. 
The  men  seemed  to  be  paralyzed  by  this  sharp  work, 
and  sat  like  statues  on  the  thwarts. 

*'  Haul  in,  bowman ! "  said  Somers,  in  sharp  and 
earnest  tones,  breaking  the  solemn  silence  of  that  awful 
moment. 

The  man  obeyed  mechanically,  and  the  others  did  the 
same  when  required  to  boat  their  oars ;  but  probably 
there  was  not  one  of  the  crew  of  either  cutter  who  did 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  l4fe 

CluX,  believe  that  the  fourth  lieutenant  would  be  hung  at 
the  yard-arm  for  his  mutinous,  murderous  conduct. 

Somers  directed  the  coxswain  of  the  first  cutter  to 
pull  in  to  the  accommodation  ladder  of  the  steamer. 
He  was  obeyed,  and  Boatswain  Longstone  was  ordered 
to  lake  charge  of  the  boat.  Eight  men,  armed  with 
cutlasses  and  revolvers,  were  sent  on  board  the  Be» 
Nevis,  and  Somers  followed  them.  The  captain  pro- 
tested against  the  capture,  but  his  papers  were  not  what 
they  were  represented  to  be  by  Pillgrim.  The  character 
of  the  steamer  was  evident,  and  she  was  taken  posses- 
sion of  by  the  fourth  lieutenant,  and  the  crews  of  both 
cutters  were  ordered  on  board. 

"  How  is  Mr.  Pillgrim  ?  "  asked  Somers  of  the  boat- 
swain.    "Is  he  dead?" 

"  No,  sir  ;  the  ball  only  glanced  along  the  side  of  his 
head.  He  bleeds  badly,  but  he  is  not  severely  wound°.d." 
The  second  lieutenant  was  soon  able  to  sit  up,  and  was 
assisted  on  board  the  Ben  Nevis,  where  he  was  conducted 
to  a  state-room,  and  two  seamen  placed  as  guards  at  the 
door. 

"  Somers,  you  have  played  me  false  !  "  said  Pillgrim, 
with  a  savage  expression  on  his  pale  face,  "  but  you  ar? 
a  doomed  man." 

"  As    you  please,  IMr.  Pillgrim.     You    will   consider 
yoTirself  under    arrest,"   replied   Somers,   as    the  traitor 
passed  into  liis  state-room. 
V6* 


150  uRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 


CHAPTER    XIV. 


THE    PRIZE    STEAMER. 


'T  was  quite  dark  when  the  capture  of  the  Ben 
Nevis  was  completed.  Rockets  were  throwu  up 
to  inform  the  Chatauqua  of  lier  present  position, 
and  with  gitards  of  seamen  in  the  engine  and  fire- 
rooms,  the  wheels  of  the  captured  steamer  Avere  set  in 
motion,  and  she  was  headed  to  the  north.  Soniers  dis- 
played his  usual  decision  and  energy,  and  perhaps  the 
men  began  to  think,  by  this  time,  that  the  young  othcer 
knew  his  duty  and  was  competent  to  perform  it. 

While  the  Ben  Nevis  was  making  her  way  towards 
the  Chatauqua,  Somers  paced  the  deck,  thinking  of  the 
great  event  which  had  just  transpired.  The  captain  of 
the  Ben  Nevis,  sullen  and  discontented,  stood  by  the 
quartermaster  at  the  wheel.  He  had  attempted  to  enter 
the  state-room  of  the  wounded  officer,  but  the  seamen  in 
charge  of  the  prisoner  had  been  instructed  to  exclude 
him,  and  they  carefully  obeyed  their  orders. 

The  men  of  the  first  and  second  cutters  were  silent  and 
troubled.     Perhaps  they  fully  sympathized  with  Somers, 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK  lol 

and  dreaded  the  consequence  of  tlie  decisive  deed  lie  had 
performed.  However  the  petty  otRcers  and  seaxueu  fi'lt, 
it  is  quite  certain  that  Boatswain  Longstone  could  hardly 
keep  from  weeping  when  he  thought  of  the  punishment 
which  might  be  in  store  for  his  young  friend.  He  was 
in  charge  of  the  lookouts  forward,  and  when  the  Cha- 
tauqua  was  sighted,  he  went  aft  to  report  to  Somers. 

"  Very  well ;  we  shall  soon  see  the  end  of  this  busi- 
Dess,"  said  the  young  officer. 

"  I  would  like  to  see  you  safe  through  it,"  added  the 
boatswain,  in  tones  of  unaffected  sympathy. 

"  What's  the  matter,  Tom?"  asked  Somers. 

"  I  feel  worse  to-night  than  I  have  before  for  twenty 
odd  years,"  groaned  Tom. 

''Why  so?" 

"  I'm  afraid  this  is  bad  business.  It's  no  little  thing 
to  fire  a  pistol  at  your  superior  officer." 

"  I  told  you  what  he  was." 

'•  I  know  you  said  he  was  a  traitor ;  but  it  don't  do 
for  an  officer  in  the  navy  to  take  the  law  into  his  own 
hands." 

"  This  steamer  makes  sixteen  knots  an  hour,  they 
Bay,"  said  Somers,  with  a  smile. 

The  boatswain  looked  at  him,  and  wondered  what  thia 
had  to  do  with  shooting  the  second  lieutenant. 

"  She  was  going  to  run  the  blockade,"  continued 
Somers. 


152  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  No  doubt  of  that." 

"  Then  they  iiiteuded  to  fit  her  out  as  a  Confederate 
cruiser." 

"  Perhaps  they  did,  Mr.  Soraers  ;  you  know  best." 

"  Mr.  Pillgrim  did  not  intend  to  capture  her." 

"  He  did  not,  sartiuly." 

"  Suppose  I  had  permitted  this  vessel  to  go  on  her 
way,  to  run  the  blockade,  which  she  could  have  done  as 
easily  as  a  hundred  others  have  done  the  same  thing,  at 
the  same  place,  and  then  come  out  as  a  man-of-war." 

"  But  Mr.  Pillgrim  was  your  superior  officer,  and  he 
was  responsible,  not  you." 

"  I  carried  out  my  orders  to  the  letter,  Tom." 

"Did  you?" 

"  To  the  letter,  I  said." 

"  Were  you  ordered  to  shoot  Mr.  Pillgrim  ?  " 

"  Yes,  if  necessary." 

"  Thank'ee,  Mr.  Somers.  You  have  taken  a  weight 
heavier  than  the  best  bower  off  my  stomach.  I'd  rather 
be  where  Jonah  was  —  in  the  whale's  belly  —  than  see  any 
harm  come  to  you.     I  feel  better  now." 

"  You  shall  know  all  about  it,  Tom,  in  a  few  days,  oi 
perhaps  a  few  hours." 

"  I'm  satisfied,  Mr.  Somers.  Shiver  my  kevel-heads, 
but  I  ought  to  have  been  satisfied  with  anything  yr»u  do." 

By  this  time  the  steamer  came  up  with  the  Chatauqua, 
and  both  vessels  stopped  their  engines,  as  the  Beu  Ne^ia 
founded  to  under  the  stern  of  the  man-of-war. 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  155 

*'  Chatauqua,  ahoy  !  "  sliouted  Somers. 

*'  On  board  the  prize  !  "  replied  the  officer  of  the  deck. 

"  Send  the  surgeon  on  board,  if  you  please." 

'^Ay,  ay." 

In  a  few  moments  the  third  cutter,  in  charge  of  Mr. 
Transit,  the  master,  put  off  from  the  ship,  with  Dr.  De 
Plesiou  on  board. 

"Where  is  Mr.  Pillgrim,  sir?"  asked  the  master  of 
Scmers. 

"  Wounded,  below." 

"  Mr.  Hackleford  wishes  your  report  forthwith  on 
board  the  ship." 

"  Mr.  Transit,  Mr.  Pillgrim  is  under  arrest.  You 
^'ill  permit  no  one  to  communicate  with  him  except  the 
surgeon." 

"  Under  arrest !  "  exclaimed  Mr.  Transit. 

"  I  have  no  time  to  explain,"  replied  Somers,  as  ho 
directed  his  coxswain  to  pipe  down  his  boat's  crew. 

When  the  second  cutter  was  hauled  up  to  the  accom- 
modation ladder,  Somers  stepped  on  board,  and  a  few 
moments  later,  touched  his  hat  to  the  first  lieutenant  on 
the  quarter  deck  of  the  Chatauqua. 

"  I  have  to  report  that  I  have  captured  the  Ben  Nevis." 
«aid  Somers. 

'Where  is  Mr.  Pillgrim?  "  asked  Mr.  Hackleford,  iM 
captain  standing  by,  an  interested  and  excited  listener. 

"  He  is  wounded,  and  under  arrest,  sir.'' 


/54  BRAVE   OLD   SILT,    OR 

"  How  Avouncled?" 

'•  He  fired  at  me,  and  in  self-defence  I  was  obliared  to 
iiioot  him.  I  think  he  is  not  seriously  wounded.  He 
boarded  the  Ben  Nevis,  and  had  given  the  captain  of  her 
permission  to  proceed,  though  tlie  vessel  was  headed  to- 
wards Cape  Fear." 

"  You  have  done  well,  Mr.  Somers,"  said  Captain  Cas- 
Dabel.     "  Beat  to  quarters,  Mr.  Hackleford." 

When  the  crew  were  at  quarters,  Mr.  Hackleford  ex- 
plained to  them  what  had  occurred,  and  fully  justified 
the  course  of  the  fourth  lieutenant ;  whereupon  an  ear- 
nest and  enthusiastic  cheer  rang  through  the  ship. 

*'  Are  you  satisfied,  Tom?  "  asked  Somers  of  the  boat- 
Bwain. 

••  Bless  ye !  I  was  satisfied  before,  Mr.  Somers. 
There  is  only  one  dark  thing  in  the  whole  of  it.'' 

"What's  that,  Tom?" 

"  If  Captain  Cascabel  and  Mr.  Hackleford  both  knew 
that  Mr.  Pillgrim  was  a  traitor,  why  did  they  send  him 
out  to  capture  that  steamer?  That's  what  I  can't  sea 
through." 

"Can't  you?  Well,  if  they  had  not  sent  him,  we 
should  not  have  captured  the  Ben  Nevis." 

"  I  don't  see  why." 

"  Don't  you?  Well,  you  are  not  as  sharp  as  you  are 
sometimes." 

"  I  know  I'm  dull,  Mr.  Somers,  but  spiinter  my  figger 
head  if  I  can  see  through  it." 


LIFE    ON    THE   QUARTER    DECK.  155 

"  The  Ben  Nevis  is  good  for  fifteen  knots  at  least." 

"  I  know  that ;  she  did  it  while  Ave  were  coming  up." 

'•  The  Chatauqua  can't  make  more  than  twelve." 

'•  That's  true." 

'^  Then,  of  course,  the  Chatauqua  could  not  catch  the 
Ben  Nevis." 

"  Tliat's  clear  enough.  But  we  were  out  in  the  boats, 
and  were  close  aboard  of  her." 

''  And  just  then  she  sheered  off.  Could  the  boats  have 
overhauled  her  ?  " 

"  Sartiniy  not ;  but  you  could  have  put  a  shot  through 
her  hull." 

"  Which  might,  at  that  distance,  have  disabled  her, 
and  might  not.  The  chances  were  all  against  us.  But 
the  moment  Mr.  Fillgrim  hailed  her,  and  swung  his  cap, 
she  stopped  her  wheels.  They  knew  very  well  he  would 
not  detain  her." 

"  I  see  now." 

"  Probably  the  captain  of  the  Ben  Nevis  knew  the 
Chatauqua,  and  knew  that  Pillgrim  was  on  board  of  her, 
and  they  were  on  the  lookout  for  him.  If  any  other  offi- 
cer than  myself  had  been  in  the  second  cutter,  I  am  sat- 
isfied Mr.  Pillgrim  would  not  have  returned  to  his  boat, 
but  would  have  staid  on  board  the  Ben  Nevis." 

"  He's  a  horrible  villai»  -^  arn't  her  "  said  the  honest 
boatswain. 

This  conversation  took  place  while  Captain  CascabeJ 


156  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

was  preparing  his  despatches  to  be  sent  by  the  priza 
steamer  to  the  navy  department.  When  they  were  com- 
pleted, Somers  was  sent  for,  and  he  repaired  at  once  to 
the  captain's  cabin. 

"  Mr.  Somers,  though  I  can  hardly  spare  yon,  I  feel 
compelled  to  send  you  home  as  prize  master  in  the  Ben 
Nevis.  I  have  commended  you  to  the  department,"  said 
Captain  Cascabel,  as  he  handed  him  the  despatches. 

"  Thank  you,  sir." 

A  prize  crew  was  at  once  detailed,  with  two  master's 
mates  to  act  as  first  and  second  officers,  and  a  corporal 
aud  three  marines  to  guard  the  prisoner  who  was  to  be 
sent  back  in  the  prize.  Somers  bade  a  hasty  good  by  to 
his  brother  officers,  and  with  his  crevv  was  sent  on  board 
the  Ben  Nevis,  whose  deck  he  was  now  to  tread  for  a 
brief  period  as  her  commander.  His  orders  required 
him  to  take  the  Ben  Nevis  to  Fortress  Monroe,  and  there 
communicate  with  the  navy  department. 

"  Well,  doctor,  how  is  your  patient  ?  "  asked  Somers, 
when  he  reached  the  deck  of  the  prize. 

"  He  will  do  very  well.  If  you  had  put  the  bullet 
half  an  inch  nearer  his  brain,  you  would  have  finished 
him.  The  skin  is  torn  off  the  side  of  his  head,  and  I 
suppose  the  ball  stunned  him.  He  is  sitting  up  now, 
and  appears  to  be  as  well  as  ever,  though  in  no  very 
amiable  frame  of  mind." 

"  I  suppose  not." 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUAltTER    DECK.  157 

"  He  says  you  are  a  rebel  and  a  traitor,  aud  he  intends 
to  prove  it.  I  told  him  I  thought  his  wound  had 
affected  his  brain." 

"  It  would  require  a  long  story  to  explain  what  he 
means.  Mr.  Hackleford  has  the  papers,  and  I  doubt  not 
he  will  tell  you  all  about  it,  doctor,"  replied  Somers,  .as 
he  proceeded  to  arrange  for  the  return  voyage. 

All  who  were  not  going  home  in  the  Ben  Nevis  were 
sent  back  to  the  Chatauqua.  The  firemen  and  engineers 
of  the  prize  steamer  were  willing  to  discharge  their 
duties  as  before,  and  under  the  direction  of  one  of  the 
second  assistants  from  the  ship,  they  were  set  at  work. 
The  first  and  third  cutters  pulled  away  towards  the  man- 
of-war,  giving  three  rousing  cheers  as  they  departed,  and 
the  Ben  Nevis  steamed  away  to  the  northward. 

By  this  time  it  was  ten  o'clock  at  night.  The  watch 
was  set  on  deck,  and  Somers  went  below  to  obtain  his 
supper,  for  he  felt  the  need  of  some  rest  and  refreshment. 
The  steward,  anxious  to  be  on  good  terms  with  the  new 
commander,  had  provided  the  best  meal  the  larder  of  the 
Ben  Nevis  aflTorded,  and  Somers  was  hungry  enough  to 
do  it  ample  justice. 

A  marine,  with  cutlass  and  revolver,  stood  at  the  door 
of  Pillgrim's  state-room.  When  Somers  had  finished  liis 
supper,  and  was  about  to  go  on  deck,  the  sentinel  in- 
formed him  that  the  prisouer  had  knocked  several  times 
on  his  door. 


158  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  See  what  he  wants." 

The  marine  opened  the  door. 

"  Who  is  the  prize  master?"  asked  Pillgrim. 

The  sentinel  looked  at  Somers  for  permission  before 
he  replied. 

"  Answer  him." 

"  Mr.  Somers,"  answered  the  marine. 

"■  Will  you  present  my  compliments  to  Mr.  Somers, 
and  say  that  I  beg  the  favor  of  an  interview  with  him  ?  " 

Again  the  sentinel  glanced  at  Somers. 

"  With  pleasure,"  replied  the  prize  master,  as  politely 
as  the  request  was  made. 

"  Ah,  Mr.  Somers,"  said  the  traitor,  as  the  new  com- 
mander of  the  Bcti  Nevis  stepped  forward  and  showed 
himself  to  the  prisoner,  "  I  am  happy  to  see  you." 

"  Are  you,  indeed?"  added  Somers,  rather  amused  at 
the  smooth  tones  of  the  traitor. 

"  I  am,  I  assure  you.  Might  I  beg  the  favor  of  a  few 
moments'  private  conversation  with  you?" 

"  Certainly  ;  have  you  any  weapons  about  you  ?  " 

"  None,  whatever." 

Somers  directed  the  marine  to  seat  himself  at  the  far- 
ther end  of  the  cabin. 

"  Thank  you,  Mr.  Somers  ;  you  are  as  kind  and  gen- 
erous as  ever." 

"•  Let  me  say,  Mr.  Pillgrim,  that  flattery  and  threats 
are  all  the  same  to  me." 


LIFE    Oy   TEE    QUARTER    DECK.  15^ 

"  Somers,  you  have  me  on  the  hip." 

"  I  know  it." 

"  You  have  won  the  game." 

"  I  know  it." 

"  I  am  in  your  power." 

•'  I  know  it."  '* 

Pillgrim  appeared  to  be  hopeless  and  disconcerted. 

"  Somers,  I  have,  in  a  bank  in  Philadelphia,  fifty  thou 
fcwod  dollars." 

"What  bank?" 

*'  Excuse  me  ;  the  confiscation  laws  are  dangerous  to 
moa  in  my  situation." 

"  jVo  matter  ;  I  will  inform  the  proper  ofiicers  of  the 
ffa.ot,  and  they  can  find  out  what  bank." 

Pillgrim  bit  his  lip. 

"  I  will  give  you  this  money  if  you  will  —  " 

"  Silence,  sir !  There  is  not  money  enough  in  tha 
whole  world  to  bribe  me." 

"I  still  have  the  oath  of  allegiance  —  signed  by  you, 
and  —  " 

"  No,  you  haven't.  Mr.  Hackleford  has  it.  You  left 
it  in  your  state-room." 

"  Now  listen  to  reason,  Somers." 

"  I  shall.     Reason  counsels  me  to  do  my  duty." 

"  Somers,  I  will  be  revenged." 

"  Good  night,  Mr.  Pillgrim.  I  see  you  have  nothing 
of  importance  to  say  to  me  ;  "  and  Somers  went  on  deck 
after  calling  the  marine  back  to  his  post. 


160 


BRAVE    OLD   SALT,    OR 


CHAPTER    XV. 


THE   PRISONER   IN   THE    CABIN. 


R.  PILLG RIM'S  wound,  as  such  injuries  are 
regarded  in  the  army  and  navy,  was  a  mere 
scratch  ;  but  it  might  have  been  very  sore, 
and  might  have  ached  severely.  The  traitor 
did  not  even  mention  it  in  his  interview  with  Somers,  for 
the  sore  in  his  mind  was  much  more  serious.  His  vic- 
tim had  now  become  his  tyrant ;  not  implacable  or  vin- 
dictive, but  firm  and  unyielding  in  the  discharge  of  his 
duty. 

Somers  went  on  deck,  satisfied  himself  in  regard  to  the 
course  of  the  steamer,  then  visited  the  engine-room,  and 
other  parts  of  the  vessel,  until  he  had  assured  hims»lf 
that  everything  was  right.  It  was  a  fine,  clear  night, 
and  when  the  port  watch  came  on  deck,  he  went  below, 
and  lay  down  on  the  broad  sofa,  which  extended  across 
the  after  part  of  the  cabin.  He  was  lired  enough  to 
Pieep,  and  he  did  sleep  till  the  starboard  watch  was  called 
in  the  morning. 

H«  was  a  prudent  and  zealous  commander,  and  he 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  161 

hastened  on  deck  at  once  to  make  sure  that  his  charge 
was  still  safe.  The  weather  continued  fine,  and  every 
man  was  at  his  post.  He  scrutinized  the  log  slate,  and 
questioned  the  officer  of  the  deck.  Everything  had  been 
correctly  done  ;  nothing  had  happened,  and  nothing  was 
likely  to  happen.  There  was  nothing  for  him  to  do-but 
sleep,  and  he  returned  to  his  couch  in  the  cabin,  to  com- 
plete his  nap. 

The  sentinel  at  the  door  of  the  prisoner's  state-room 
was  still  in  position.  The  guard  was  relieved  every  two 
hours,  and  the  door  was  secured  on  the  outside  by  a  pad- 
lock, which  had  been  put  on  by  the  armorer  after  the  ves- 
sel was  captured.  Of  course  there  could  be  no  doubt  in 
regard  to  the  safety  of  the  prisoner. 

•  Somers  went  to  sleep  again,  satisfied  that  he  had  neg- 
lected no  precautions  to  insure  the  safety  of  the  vessel 
and  the  prisoner.  The  movements  of  the  steward  in  the 
cabin  awoke  him  at  six  o'clock.  He  had  slept  away  all 
his  fatigue,  and  when  he  looked  out  through  the  stern 
lights  upon  a  smooth  sea,  brightened  by  the  morning  sun, 
all  his  anxiety  left  him.  It  was  hardly  possible  that  any 
accident  could  interfere  with  the  safe  arrival  of  the  prize 
at  her  destined  port. 

As  he  rose  from  the  sofa,  the  corporal  of  marines  re- 
lieved the  sentry  at  the  prisoner's  door. 

"  Marine,"  said  Somers,  as  the   man  passed  him  on 
his  way  out  of  the  cabin. 
14* 


162  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

The  sentinel  stopped  and  touched  his  cap. 

"How  is  the  prisoner?" 

"  I  haven't  heard  anything  of  him,  sir,  during  my 
beat,"  replied  the  marine. 

"Isn't  he  up  yet?" 

"  I  didn't  hear  him,  sir.  He's  a  heavy  sleeper,  I 
should  say,  for  I  don't  think  he  moved  while  I  was  on 
guard." 

As  Somers  had  the  key  of  the  padlock  in  his  pocket, 
he  was  satisfied  it  was  all  right  with  the  prisoner,  and 
he  went  on  deck.  At  seven  bells,  when  his  breakfast 
was  brought  down,  he  directed  the  steward  to  give  Mr. 
Pillgrim  his  morning  meal,  handing  the  key  of  the  state- 
room to  the  corporal. 

The  door  was  opened,  and  the  marine  entered  the  little 
room.  Somers  sat  down  at  the  table  to  eat  his  break- 
fast. He  was  blessed  with  a  good  appetite,  and  some 
"  'am  and  heggs,"  which  the  steward  particularly  recom- 
mended, looked  very  inviting.  But  he  had  hardly  satis- 
fied himself  that  the  steward  had  not  overrated  the 
quality  of  his  viands,  before  his  attention  was  attracted 
by  an  exclamation  from  the  corporal  of  marines. 

"  What's  the  matter  ?  "  demanded  Somers,  rising  from 
the  table,  and  rushing  to  the  state-room. 

"  Mr.  Pillgrim  is  not  here,  sir,"  replied  the  man. 

"  Not  here  !  " 

"No,  sir." 


LIFE    ON   THE    QUARTER   DECK  163 

"  He  can't  be  far  off." 

Somers  entered  the  state-room.  Certainly  the  prisoner 
was  not  there  ;  nor  was  tliere  any  indication  of  the  means 
by  which  he  had  departed.  The  partitions  between  this 
and  the  adjoining  state-rooms  were  nndisturbed.  The 
door  had  been  securely  locked,  and  the  key  was  in  -the 
pocket  of  the  commanding  officer.  The  traitor  could  not 
have  crawled  through  the  bull's  eye  which  lighted  the 
room,  for  it  was  not  more  than  nine  inches  in  diameter. 

The  marines  who  had  been  on  guard  during  the  night 
were  summoned.  They  all  told  the  same  story ;  not  a 
sound  had  been  heard  in  the  room.  Both  the  master's 
mates  who  had  kept  the  watches  on  deck  were  examined, 
but  they  had  no  information  to  communicate. 

"  This  is  very  remarkable,"  said  Somers  to  his  first 
officer. 

"  Very  remarkable,"  replied  Mr.  Hudson,  who  seemed 
to  be  even  more  bewildered  than  his  commander. 

"  Where  is  Captain  Walmsley?"  asked  Somers  of  the 
steward. 

"  I  don't  know,  sir.  I  'aven't  seen  him  since  'e  hat' 
his  supper  last  night." 

"  See  if  he  is  in  his  state-room,  steward." 

He  was  not  in  his  state-room.  His  bed  had  not  beep 
occupied ;  no  one  had  seen  him  since  the  Ben  Nevis 
parted  company  with  the  Chatauqua. 

"Are  there  any  boats  missing,  Mr.  Hudson?"  coj? 
tinned  Somers. 


164  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  No,  sir ;  the  steamer  had  two  quarter-boats,  and  a 
life-boat  forward.     They  are  all  in  their  places." 

"  Wasn't  there  a  dingy,  or  a  jolly-boat,  at  the  stern?  " 

"  No,  sir  ;  I  am  sure  that  no  boat  is  missing." 

"  Then  of  course  the  prisoner  must  be  on  board." 

"  No  doubt  of  that,  Mr.  Somers.  In  my  opinion  he 
has  concealed  himself  in  the  hold,  and  intends  to  escape 
after  we  go  into  port." 

"  But  how  could  he  get  into  the  hold?" 

"  That  is  more  than  I  know,  sir.  He  isn't  in  hia 
Btate-room ;  he  wouldn't  have  jumped  overboard  forty 
miles  from  land." 

"  He  must  be  found  before  we  make  the  capes,"  said 
Somers,  who  could  not  help  thinking  how  "  cheap  "  he 
should  feel  if  compelled  to  report  the  escape  of  his  pris- 
oner to  the  department. 

He  returned  to  the  table  and  finished  his  breakfast,  as 
a  matter  of  necessity  now,  —  for  man  must  eat,  — rather 
than  of  inclination.  The  Scotch  ham  seemed  to  have 
lost  its  fine  flavor,  and  it  was  really  a  pity  that  he  had  not 
completed  his  repast  before  the  escape  of  Pillgrim  was 
discovered.  But  Somers  was  satisfied  that  the  traitor 
was  still  on  board,  and  he  was  determined  to  find  him, 
even  if  he  had  to  throw  the  valuable  cargo  of  the  Ben 
Nevis  overboard,  in  order  to  effect  liis  purpose. 

When  Somers  had  worried  down  his  breakfast,  he 
went  on  deck  to  detail  parties  to   engage  in  the  searclu 


LIFE  ON   THE   QUARTER  DECS.  165 

The  hatches  were  taken  off,  and  Mr.  Hudson  was  directed 
to  examine  the  hold,  while  Somers  himself,  with  the  ma- 
rines and  a  couple  of  seamen,  went  to  the  cabin  for  tha 
purpose  of  tracing  the  fugitive  from  his  starting-point. 
This  appeared  to  be  no  easy  matter,  for  as  yet  there  was 
not  the  slightest  clew  to  his  means  of  egress. 

Somers  opened  the  door  of  the  state-room,  which  had 
been  occupied  by  the  prisoner,  and  there,  to  his  utter 
astonishment  and  confusion,  he  saw  Pillgrim,  sitting  on 
a  stool,  and  looking  as  composed  as  though  nothing  had 
happened.  Somers  could  hardly  believe  the  evidence  of 
his  own  eyes. 

"  Good  morning,  Mr.  Somers,"  said  the  traitor,  "  I 
am  happy  to  see  you.  I  was  just  thinking  it  was  about 
breakfast  time." 

"  Haven't  you  had  your  breakfast  yet?  "  asked  Som- 
ers, who  deemed  it  best  to  talk  at  random. 

**  How  should  I  ?  You  lock  the  door,  and  confine  me 
to  a  very  limited  sphere  of  observation.  I  hope  you 
dou't  intend  to  starve  me." 

"  O,  no,  by  no  means.  I  thought  it  likely  you  had 
breakfasted  while  on  your  travels." 

*'  On  my  travels?  "  said  the  prisoner,  inquiringly. 

*'  You  have  been  out  of  your  room." 
tt  J  p  " 

Pillgrim  opened  his  eyes,  and  seemed  to  be  astonished. 
*'  Certainly  you  have.     "When  we  opened  the  door  half 


166  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

an  hour  since,  you  were  not  here.     Perhaps  you  will  not 
object  to  telling  nie  where  you  have  been." 

"  I  have  not  been  out  of  my  state-room,  as  you  must 
be  aware." 

"^  But  you  have/'  replied  Somers,  stoutly. 

"•  Am  I  to  infer  that  you  accuse  me  of  lying,  Mr. 
Somers  ?  "  demanded  the  traitor,  with  an  exhibition  of 
dignity. 

"■  I  accuse  you  of  nothing ;  I  only  say  you  have  been 
out  of  your  state-room." 

"  But  I  say  I  have  not.  I  am  your  prisoner :  it  is 
hardly  magnanimous  to  insult  me  in  my  present  situ- 
ation." 

"  Are  you  re^dy  for  your  breakfast  ?  "  asked  Somers, 
unwilling  to  pursue  the  conversation  on  that  tack. 

"-  A  hungry  man  is  always  ready  for  his  breakfast. 
My  misfortunes  have  not  impaired  my  appetite.  I  am 
ready  for  ray  breakfast." 

Somers  directed  the  steward  to  bring  the  prisoner  his 
morning  meal. 

"■  Mr.  Somers,  may  I  beg  the  favor  of  half  an  hour's 
conversation  with  you,  when  I  have  done  my  breakfast?  " 
added  Pillgrim. 

"  It  is  hardly  necessary." 

"  Excuse  me  ;  it  is  absolutely  necessary  for  your  com- 
fort and  safety  as  well  as  mine." 

''  Under  such  a  threat,  I  shall  certainly  decline,"  ra- 
plied  Somers,  coldly. 


LIFE    ON    THE   QUARTER    DECK.  167 

"  I  iatended  no  threat.  8pnd  these  people  away,  aud  I 
will  speak." 

"  You  may  speak  or  be  silent,  as  you  please." 

Somers  stationed  a  marine  at  the  door,  and  sent  the 
others  away,  reth'inj^  himself  to  the  farther  end  of  the 
cabin.  He  was  sorely  puzzled  to  know  how  the  prisoner 
had  got  out  of  his  state-room,  and  why  he  had  returned. 
He  concluded  that  the  opening  of  the  hold  had  induced 
the  latter  step,  but  the  former  was  still  enveloped  in  mys- 
tery. He  determined  to  give  the  prisoner  another  room, 
and  make  a  more  careful  search  in  the  one  he  now 
occupied. 

When  Pillgrim  had  done  his  breakfast,  Somers  called 
a  couple  of  marines,  and  ordered  them  to  put  the  prisoner 
in  the  aftermost  room.  The  hasp  aud  padlock  were  then 
transferred  to  the  occupied  room. 

"  Mr.  Somers,"  said  Pillgrim,  as  he  was  about  to  lock 
the  door,  "  I  should  like  to  speak  with  you." 

The  tone  was  gentlemanly,  and  even  supplicating,  and 
Somers  entered  the  room,  closing  the  door  behind  him ; 
but  he  was  Careful  to  cock  his  revolver  as  he  did  so,  for 
the  prisoner  was  a  desperate  man. 

"  1  am  ready  to  hear  you." 

"  It  is  well  you  are." 

"  If  you  have  any  threats  to  niakt^  I  will  not  remain." 

"  Let  me  speak  only  the  truth,"  liaid  Pillgrim,  as  he 
looked  at  his  watch.  "  In  twenty  miiiutes  from  now,  we 
shall  all  be  in  kingdom  come." 


x68  BRAVE  OLD  SALT,   OR 

There  was  a  malignant  smile  on  the  face  of  the  traitoi 
as  he  spoke,  and  it  was  plain  to  Somers  that  the  villain  did 
not  speak  without  a  cause. 

''  Somers,  you  have  beaten  me  in  the  last  game  we 
played.     1  shall  beat  in  the  next  one." 

"  I  told  you  I  did  not  come  here  to  listen  to  threats." 

"  You  will  be  a  dead  man  in  seventeen  minutes,  Som- 
ers," continued  Pillgrim,  glancing  at  his  watch  again. 
"  I  could  not  deny  myself  the  satisfaction  of  informing 
you  of  the  fact.  But,  Somers,  you  will  have  the  pleas- 
ure of  knowing  that  I  shall  share  your  fate." 

"  What  do  you  mean,  you  villain  ?  "  demanded  Som- 
ers, horrified  by  the  thought  suggested  by  the  traitor's 
words. 

"  Gently,  my  dear  fellow.  Don't  use  hard  words. 
But  I  am  glad  to  see  you  are  moved.  Ah,  Somers,  I 
have  you  now,"  said  the  wretch,  in  mocking  tones. 

"  Speak  !  "  roared  Somers,  drawing  his  pistol. 

"  Shoot  me,  Somers.  I  will  thank  you  if  you  will. 
It  is  better  to  be  shot  dead,  than  to  be  blown  up,  man- 
gled, and  then,  after  enduring  a  moment  or  an  hour  of 
agony,  to  be  drowned.     Fire,  Somers  !  " 

He  restored  the  revolver  to  his  belt,  appalled  by  the 
terrible  picture  which  the  villain  painted.    . 

"  Somers,  I  did  leave  my  state-room.  I  was  not  will- 
ing to  acknowledge  it  before  your  crew." 

"How?" 


LIFE  ON  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  169 

"I  have  not  time  to  explain.  There  are  but  ten 
minutes  of  life  left  to  you  and  me.  We  will  not  waste 
them  in  what  is  of  so  little  consequence  to  either  of  us. 
You  know  of  what  the  cargo  of  the  Ben  Nevis  is  com- 
posed ?  " 

u  J  ^Q  — of  arms,  ammunition,  and  provisions."^ 

"  Correct ;  the  ammunition  is  stowed  in  the  after  part 
of  the  ship  —  under  us,  in  fact.  Captain  AValmsley  and 
myself  have  laid  a  train  by  wliich  the  vessel  will  be 
blown  up  when  four  bells  strike.  It  wants  five  minutes 
of  the  time.  Captain  Walmsley  is  in  a  position  where 
he  can  hear  the  bell,"  continued  Pillgrim  with  perfect 
coolness. 

"  Marine,"  said  Somers,  opening  the  door. 

"  Here,  sir,"  responded  the  man. 

"  Pass  the  word  for  the  quartermaster  to  strike  four 
bells,  instantly,"  added  the  young  commander.  "'  I  am 
ready,  Mr.  Pillgrim." 

The  traitor  looked  aghast. 
15 


170 


SHAVE    OLD    SALT,    UB 


CHAPTER    XVI. 


CAPTAIN    WALMSLEY. 


R.  PILLGRIM,  I  am  not  to  be  intimidated 
by  any  such  stulF,"  said  Somers,  when  he 
r^^n^^^  had  ordered  the  bells  to  be  struck,  which 
^- — '      ^        would  produce  the  explosion. 

"  Perhaps  Captain  Walmsley  will  not  think  it  best  to 
fire  the  ammunition  at  the  moment  agreed  upon  ;  some 
discretion  on  this  point  Avas  left  with  him  ;  but  I  assure 
you,  on  my  word  and  honor,  that  the  train  is  laid 
which  will  blow  up  the  Ben  Nevis,"  said  Pillgrim, 
earnestly. 

"  If  you  had  not  mentioned  the  name  of  Captain 
Walmsley,  I  might  have  believed  you.  As  it  is,  I  do  not. 
Your  word  and  honor  do  not  weigh  mucli  with  me." 

"  Don't  insult  me." 

"  I  simply  speak  the  truth.  There  !  do  you  hear  foui 
bells?" 

"  I  do ;  and  if  you  are  not  blown  up  in  half  a  min- 
ute, you  may  thank  Captain  Walmsley  for  his  moder- 
ation." 


LIFE    OX    THE    QUARTER    DECK  171 

"  He  is  not  villain  enough  to  destroy  the  lives  of  fort} 
men,  liis  owp  people  as  well  as  mine,  to  gratify  your 
malice  and  re»'«uge.  I  give  you  my  word  and  honor 
that  he  will  -Jt     lothing  of  the  kind." 

Pilli^^rim  looked  hard  at  him,  and  seemed  to  be  slightly 
disconcerted  by  the  obstinacy  of  Somers. 

"  If  he  will  not,  I  will !  "  said  he,  fiercely. 

*'  I  purpose  to  put  you  in  irons,  when  you  have  said 
all  you  have  to  say." 

"  In  irons,  Somers  !  "  exclaimed  the  traitor,  springing 
to  his  feet,  his  face  flushed  with  indignation. 

"  Since  you  are  open  enough  to  announce  your  inten- 
tions, it  is  plainly  my  duty  to  defeat  them.  Acknowledge 
that  your  plot  to  blow  up  the  vessel  is  a  mere  scare,  and 
I  may  spare  you  this  indignity." 

"  You  will  find  that  it  is  a  reality." 

"  Why  don't  it  blow  up,  then?" 

"  It  will,  as  soon  as  Captain  "Walmsley  is  ready.  The 
Ben  Nevis  shall  not  again  go  into  a  Yankee  port  as  a 
prize.     Mark  my  words." 

"  Captain  Somers,"  called  Mr.  Hudson. 

"What  is  wanted?" 

"  The  men  in  the  hold  report  a  smell  of  fire  there." 

"  I  will  be  with  you  soon,"  replied  Somers,  convinced 
by  this  message  that  there  was  some  foundation  for  the 
threats  of  the,  traitor.  "  Go  into  the  hold,  Mr.  Hrdson, 
and  find  the  tu'i,  if  there  is  any" 


172  BRAVE  OLD  fULT,   OX 

He  was  cool,  and  did  not  permit  the  wretch  before 
him  to  see  a  muscle  of  his  lace  move. 

"  There  is  fire  there,  Somers,"  said  Pillgrira.  "■  I 
know  just  where  it  is.  In  a  few  minutes  it  will  reach 
the  ammunition  boxes." 

"  Corporal,"  said  Somers,  opening  the  door  again. 

"  Here,  sir." 

"  Put  the  prisoner  in  irons,  hands  and  feet,"  continued 
Somers. 

"Do  you  mean  that,  Mr.  Somers?"  asked  Pillgrim, 
quivering  with  emotion. 

"  I  do  mean  it,  and  I  shall  stand  by  till  it  is  done." 

"  Will  you  leave  me  in  the  midst  of  the  fire,  ironed 
hand  and  foot  ?  " 

"  I  will.  You  kindled  the  fire  ;  and  if  you  perish  by 
it,  blame  yourself." 

Pillgrim  attempted  to  resist  the  execution  of  the  order, 
but  the  marines  were  resolute,  and  he  was  fully  ironed 
in  spite  of  his  struggles. 

"  Now  lock  hi.m  Ic,"  said  Somers. 

"  One  word,  Mr.  Somers." 

"  Not  another  word  ;  "  and  the  young  commander  has- 
tened from  the  state-room,  and  made  hi$i  way  to  the  scen« 
of  peril  in  the  hold. 

He  did  not  believe  that  even  Pillgrim  was  stupid 
enough  to  blow  up  the  Ben  Nevis  for  mere  revenge ;  and 
Captain  Walmsley   certainly  would  do   nothing  of   the 


LIFE    OX    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  175 

kind,  for  he  could  have  no  strong  feeling  on  the  subject, 
at  least  not  enough  to  sacrifice  the  lives  of  himself  and 
ais  crew. 

There  was  a  smell  of  fire  in  the  hold  —  the  hold  filled 
^ith  powder,  shells,  and  other  combustibles.  This  fact 
tended  to  confirm  the  statement  of  the  wretch  ;  yet  Som- 
ers  was  incredulous.  When  he  reached  the  scene  of 
danger  he  found  the  officers  and  the  men  timid  about 
proceeding  far  into  the  hold,  for  if  there  was  fire,  there 
must  soon  be  an  explosion. 

"  Follow  me,  my  men  !  "  said  he,  as  he  walked  aft  on 
the  cargo. 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir  !  "  cheerfully  responded  the  men,  —  for 
the  American  seaman  will  go  anywhere  an  officer  will 
lead  him. 

In  the  after  part  of  the  hold  there  was  a  dense  smoke 
and  a  strong  smell  of  fire. 

"  Keep  back  !  You  are  all  dead  men  !  "  shouted  Cap- 
tain Walmsley,  as  Somers  advanced  and  discovered  the 
speaker  seated  on  a  box. 

"  What  are  you  doing  here?"  demanded  Somers. 

*'  I  am  going  to  blow  up  the  steamer,"  replied  the  cap- 
tain, who  held  in  his  hand  a  tin  pan  filled  with  burning 
oakum,  chips,  and  other  combustible  material. 

"  Well,  why  don't  you  do  it,  then  ?  "  said  Somers. 

"  For   God's   sake,   Mr.   Somers,   don't    stay   here,* 
pleaded  Mr    Hudson. 
15* 


174  liR^VE  OLD  SALT,   OR 

"  You  ueedu't,  if  you  are  afraid,"  replied  he,  coolly. 

"  Mr.  Somers,  iu  one  iustaut  I  can  blow  the  Ben 
Nevis  all  to  pieces,"  said  Captain  Wahusley,  with  a 
proper  exhibition  of  tragic  adjuncts. 

"  Why  don't  you  do  it,  then  ?  " 

"  I  am  willing  to  give  you  one  chance  to  save  your 
lives." 

"  You  are  very  considerate.  Mr.  Pillgrim  was  going 
to  blow  her  up  for  my  special  benefit." 

"  If  you  think  I  am  not  in  earnest,  you  are  greatly 
mistaken,"  continued  the  captain,  as  he  stirred  up  the 
burning  substances  in  the  pan. 

"  I  see  you  are  in  earnest,  and  I  am  waiting  for  you 
to  blow  her  up." 

"  I  will  give  you  ten  minutes  to  save  your  lives  ;  for  I 
have  sworn  this  vessel  shall  never  go  into  port  as  a 
prize.  You  and  your  people  can  take  to  the  boats  and 
save  yourselves." 

"  Will  you  blow  her  up  when  we  are  gone?  " 

"  I  will." 

"  I  have  had  quite  enough  of  this.  Captain  Walms- 
ley,"  said  Somers,  advancing  to  the  fire  king,  revolver  in 
hand.  "  Now  go  on  deck,  or  I  will  blow  your  brains 
out,  if  you  have  any." 

The  captain  looked  at  the  revolver,  and  he  might  as 
well  have  acknowledged  his  defeat,  for  his  face  pro- 
claimed it. 


LIFE  ON   THE   QUARTER   DECK.  175 

"  If  I  should  drop  tliis  into  the  cargo,  it  would  blow 
up  the  ship." 

"  No,  it  wouldn't.  Tliere  are  nothing  but  solid  shot 
and  shell  under  you,"  replied  Somers  ;  and  perhaps  his 
coolness  and  self-possession  were  in  a  great  measure  due 
to  his  knowledge  of  this  fact,  for  he  had  carefully  in 
spected  the  cargo  inuuediately  after  the  capture  of  the 
vessel. 

Captain  Walmsley,  with  the  blazing  censer  in  his  hand^ 
made  his  way  over  the  boxes,  bales,  and  barrels  which 
lay  above  the  heavy  articles,  to  the  hatchway.  Tiie  pan 
and  its  contents  were  thrown  overboard,  and  the  meu 
informed  that  there  was  no  danger.  The  captain  was 
ordered  into  the  cabin,  where  he  was  put  in  double  irons, 
as  his  fellow-conspirator  had  been.  He  protested,  at 
first,  against  this  indignity.  Then  he  begged,  declaring 
that  Mr.  Pillgrim  was  the  author  of  the  plot  by  which 
it  was  intended  to  recaptui-e  the  steamer.  It  was  fully 
believed  that  Somers  and  his  crew  would  abandon  the 
vessel  as  soon  as  it  was  announced  that  there  was  fire  in 
the  hold,  knowing  that  her  cargo  would  readily  explode. 

Captain  Walmsley  declared  that  Pillgrim  was  a  fool  - 
if  he  had  kept  still  till  the  fire  was  discovered,  instead 
of  declaiming  over  it  beforehand,  the  plan  would  have 
succeeded.  Somers  doubted  it ;  and  when  the  humiliated 
captain  was  ironed,  he  was  sent  into  his  state-room,  and 
a  sentinel  placed  at  his  door.     This  business  was  hardly 


176  BJRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

completed  before  the  marine  in  charge  of  Pillgrim  in- 
formed Somers  that  his  prisoner  wished  to  speak  with 
him.     The  request  was  peremptorily  refused. 

"  There,  Mr.  Hudson,  I  think  we  have  fixed  those  fei 
lows  BO  that  we  shall  know  where  to  find  them  when  w« 
want  them,"  said  Somers,  when  the  conspirators  had 
been  disposed  of. 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  and  if  any  other  man  had  been  in  charge 
of  this  vessel,  he  would  have  lost  her,  Captain  Somers. 
I  should  have  voted  for  abandoning  her  as  soon  as  I  was 
satisfied  that  she  was  on  fire." 

*■'■  Perhaps  I  should,  if  I  had  not  known  the  powder 
and  shells  were  in  the  fore  hold.  But  I  did  not  believe 
the  villains  had  pluck  enough  to  blow  themselves  up  for 
the  sake  of  blowing  me  up.  If  there  had  been  any  real 
danger,  they  would  have  been  the  first  to  run  away." 

"  Well,  sir,  I  think  you  have  managed  them  exceed- 
ingly well." 

Somers  was  perfectly  willing  he  should  think  so,  and 
perhaps  he  thought  so  himself.  At  any  rate,  he  was 
heartily  rejoiced  to  get  out  of  the  scrape  so  easily,  and 
fully  resolved  that  the  conspirators  should  have  no  fur- 
ther opportunity  to  exercise  their  talents  at  plotting  on 
board  the  Ben  Nevis. 

There  was  a  mystery  still  unsolved  to  the  young  offi- 
cer, and  with  Mr.  Hudson  he  repaired  to  the  state-room 
in  which  Pillgrim  had  passed  the  night,  —  or  ought  to 


LIFE    ON   THE    QUARTEOt  DECK.  177 

have  passed  it,  —  and  commenced  a  further  examination. 
There  was  nothing  supernatural,  or  even  very  remark- 
able, in  the  absence  of  the  prisoner,  when  the  carpet  was 
pulled  up,  and  a  square  aperture,  now  closed  by  a  pine 
board,  was  discovered  in  the  corner  of  the  room.  In 
the  ceiling  there  was  a  similar  aperture,  which  had-  been 
filled  up  to  correspond  with  the  deck  above.  It  was  evi- 
dent that  a  ventilator,  which  had  been  used  to  convey 
fresh  air  to  the  after  hold,  had  been  removed  at  son* 
recent  period. 

As  Captain  Walmsley  had  indicated  this  state-room  for 
the  use  of  Pillgrim,  it  was  probable  that  he  had  chosen 
it  on  account  of  this  means  of  egress.  Some  time  in  the 
nisi  i  he  must  have  visited  the  prisoner,  entering  through 
this  aperture,  and  conducted  him  to  the  hold  below. 

Jp  the  fine  weather  and  smooth  sea  the  Ben  Nevis 
necrly  made  good  the  claim  of  the  conspirators  in  regard 
to  her  speed,  for  all  day  she  logged  fifteen  knots,  and  at 
threi  bells  in  the  first  dog  watch  Cape  Henry  was 
sighted,  and  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening  she  anchored 
off"  Fortress  Monroe. 

By  the  first  conveyance  Mr.  Hudson  was  sent  to  Wash- 
ington with  the  despatches  of  Captain  Cascabel,  and  one 
from  Somers.  On  the  second  day  the  messenger  re- 
turned, with  orders  from  the  department.  The  young 
ofiicer  took  the  bundle  of  documents  into  the  cabin,  and 
proceeded  to  examine  those  directed  to  himself.    He  waa 


178  BimVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

ordered  to  hand  his  prisoners  over  to  the  commandant  of 
the  fort,  to  deliver  liis  vessel  into  the  keeping  of  the  senior 
naval  officer  on  the  station,  and  to  rejoin  his  ship  foi'th- 
with,  taking  passage  in  a  supply  steamer  to  sail  on  the 
following  day.  He  was  highly  commended  for  the  skill 
and  energy  with  which  he  had  discharged  his  duty  ou 
board  the  Ben  Nevis,  full  particulars  of  which  had  been 
communicated  by  Mr.  Hudson. 

Another  document  contained  his  commission  as  mas- 
ter, Jhe  next  rank  above  that  of  ensign,  which  had  been 
solicited  by  Captain  Cascabel.  This  paper  was  full  of 
interest  to  the  recipient  of  it,  and  he  was  obliged  to  open 
the  long  letters  he  had  written  to  his  mother  and  to  Kate 
Portington,  in  order  to  add,  in  a  postscript,  this  impor- 
tant intelligence.  He  was  proud  and  happy,  and  more 
than  ever  satisfied  that  republics  are  not  ungrateful,  not- 
withstanding the  tradition  to  the  contrary. 

At  the  proper  time  he  proceeded  to  execute  his  orders 
in  regard  to  the  vessel  and  the  prisoners.  Pillgrim  and 
his  fellow-conspirator  were  brought  on  deck.  The  for- 
mer looked  easy  and  defiant,  as  usual,  and  assured  his 
captor  that  he  should  be  at  liberty  in  a  few  days. 

"  Perhaps  not,"  said  Somers. 

"  You  shall  yet  be  cheated  of  your  victim,  but  I  shall 
not  be  cheated  of  mine,"  said  he,  w^th  a  malignant  smile. 

"  I  bear  you  no  malice,  Mr.  Pillgrim." 

"  I  do  bear  you  malice  ;  and  the  heaviest  revenge  tb«i 


LIFE   ON  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  179 

ever  fell  oq  man  shall  fall  on  you  before  the  end  of  this 
year." 

"  Your  threats  are  idle.  I  have  heard  too  many  of 
them.     Pass  into  the  boat,  if  you  please." 

Pillgrim  and  Walmsley  went  over  the  side,  and  the 
boat  pulled  away.  The  chivalrous  military  officer  re- 
moved the  irons  from  their  legs  and  arms  as  soon  as  he 
received  them. 

The  Ben  Nevis  was  to  be  sent  to  New  York  to  be  con- 
demned, and  Somers  handed  her  over  to  the  naval  officer, 
according  to  his  orders. 


180  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OH 


CHAPTER    XVII. 


OFF    MOBILE    BAT. 


OMERS  was  now  entirely  relieved  from  duty. 
He  had  delivered  up  the  prize  and  handed  the 
prisoners  over  to  the  proper  officers.  On  the 
following  day  he  went  on  shore  to  spend  a  few  hours  be- 
fore the  supply  steamer  sailed.  On  visiting  the  fortress, 
he  received  the  astonishing  intelligence  that  Mr.  Pillgrim 
had  escaped  from  the  officer  having  him  in  charge,  even 
before  he  had  been  placed  in  the  casement  appropriated 
to  his  use.  Somers  had  cautioned  the  lieutenant  to  whom 
he  had  delivered  him,  of  the  danger  of  removing  the 
irons,  but  his  advice  had  not  been  heeded.  The  careless 
officer  was  now  under  arrest  for  his  neglect  of  duty. 

By  none  was  this  unfortunate  event  more  deeply  re- 
gretted than  by  him  who  had  been  the  means  of  foiling 
the  schemes  of  the  traitor  and  handing  him  over  to  the 
custody  of  the  government.  Pillgrim  had  boasted  that 
he  would  soon  be  at  liberty.  He  was  certainly  a  tal- 
ented and  a  daring  fellow ;  and  to  handle  him  safely,  it 
was  necessary  to  understand  him  thoroughly.     Somers 


LIFE   ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK,  l8l 

had  a  suspicion  that  the  officer  from  "whom  the  wretch 
escaped  was  bribed  by  his  prisoner ;  but  of  course  there 
could  be  no  evidence  on  this  interesting  point. 

A  careful  search  had  been  made  by  the  garrison  of  the 
fort,  but  without  success.  Pillgrim  was  dressed  in  the 
full  uniform  of  a  naval  lieutenant,  and  in  this  garb  his 
ingenuity  would  enable  him  to  pass  the  military  lines,  if 
indeed  he  was  not  provided  with  the  means  of  doing  so 
by  the  faithless  officer  in  charge  of  him.  The  prisoner 
had  escaped  on  the  preceding  day,  and  there  was  now 
little  hope  of  recapturing  him ;  but  Somers  gave  such 
information  as  he  possessed  in  regard  to  the  fugitive. 
Captain  Walmsley  had  been  less  fortunate,  and  was  still 
in  durance. 

The  story  of  the  traitor's  escape  was  a  very  simple 
one.  When  the  boat  which  had  conveyed  the  prisoners 
from  the  steamer  to  the  shore  reached  the  pier,  and  they 
had  landed,  Walmsley  began  to  p?*otest  against  his  con- 
finement, being  a  British  subject.  He  insisted  upon 
seeing  the  commandant  of  the  fortress ;  and  while  every- 
body was  listening  to  this  debate,  Pillgrim  slipped  into 
the  crowd  and  disappeared,  passing  the  sentinels,  who 
had  no  suspicion  that  he  was  a  prisoner,  without  a  chal- 
lenge. Immediate  search  was  made  for  him ;  but  he 
must  have  taken  to  the  water,  since  there  was  no  other 
place  of  concealment  which  was  not  examined.  A 
(»,lker's  stage  was  moored  to  the  shore  near  the  pier,  aud 
16 


182  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

it  was  afterwards  surmised  that  he  had  crawled  vindef 
this,  securing  a  position  so  that  his  head  was  out  of 
water,  and  remained  there  till  evening. 

He  was  gone,  and  that  Avas  all  it  was  necessary  to 
know.  The  officer  Avho  had  permitted  him  to  escape 
would  be  court-martialed  and  broken,  and  that  would  be 
the  end  of  it.  At  noon,  as  Somers  was  about  to  embark 
on  the  supply  steamer,  a  letter  was  handed  to  him,  which 
had  been  brought  in  by  a  contraband.  The  negro  said 
it  had  been  handed  to  him  by  "  a  gemman  wid  de  an- 
chors on  his  shoulders,"  whom  he  had  met  on  the  road 
to  Williamsburg,  nine  miles  from  the  fort. 

The  epistle  was  from  Pillgrini,  as  Somers  would  have 
known  from  the  writing,  without  the  contraband's  de- 
scription of  the  person  who  had  given  it  to  him.  He 
put  it  in  his  pocket,  and  did  not  open  it  till  he  had  taken 
possession  of  his  state-room  on  board  the  steamer.  He 
was  confident  that  it  contained  nothing  but  threats  and 
abuse,  and  he  felt  but  little  interest  in  its  contents.  The 
writer,  chagrined  at  the  failure  of  his  plot,  was  running 
over  with  evil  thoughts  and  malicious  purposes.  Somers 
opened  the  letter  and  read  as  follows  :  — 

Old  Point  Comfort,  July  14. 

SoMEUS  :  You  have  been  promoted.     You  remind  me 

of  the  fable.     The  goat  went  down  into  the  well.     The 

fox  sprang  upon  his  horns  and  leaped  out.     You  are  the 

fox  ;  you  jumped  over  my  head  ;  you  went  up  ;  you  are 


LIFE   ON  THE    QUARTER  DECK.  183 

ft  master  now.  I  congratulate  you.  You  are  the  only 
man  in  the  world  I  hate. 

The  Tallahassee  is  doing  a  good  business  for  the 
South.  She  has  captured  fifty  vessels.  The  Ben  Nevis 
was  her  sister.  You  have  her.  There  are  more  of  the 
same  family.  You  believe  I  am  used  up.  No.  I  write 
this  letter  to  inform  you  that  I  am  not  even  singed  yet, 
say  nothing  of  being  burned  out.  I  shall  be  afloat  soon. 
The  Ben  Lomond,  twin  sister  of  the  Ben  Nevis  and  the 
Tallahassee,  will  be  at  work  in  a  fortnight.  She  will 
then  be  called  the  Tallapoosa.     Look  out  for  her. 

The  Ben  Nevis  was  captured  ;  my  agents  bought  her 
again.  The  Ben  Lomond  is  now  at  —  you  wish  you 
knew  where  !  I  shall  command  her.  I  could  not  resist 
the  temptation  to  inform  you  of  my  plan.  I  know  you 
will  enjoy  my  prospects  ! 

You  would  like  to  make  a  little  arrangement  for  the 
capture  of  the  Ben  Lomond.  I  wish  you  might.  You 
will  hear  of  her  on  the  broad  ocean  in  a  few  weeks,  — 
capturing,  burning,  bonding  Yankee  ships.  It  will  please 
you  to  read  the  papers  then  !  I  shall  strike  for  a  Cali- 
fornia steamer.     Her  treasure  will  make  good  my  losses. 

I  am  so  anxious  to  meet  you  again  that  I  am  tempted 
to  tell  you  where  my  ship  is.  I  would  like  to  meet  you 
on  her  quarter  deck.  You  are  a  remarkably  enterprising 
fellow  ;  perhaps  we  shall  meet.  If  we  do,  I  should  feel 
justified  in  hanging  you  at  the  yard-arm.     You  belong 


X 


184  BIIAVE  OLD  SALT,   OR 

to  the  South.  You  accepted  a  commission  in  her  navy. 
You  betrayed  your  trust.  I  shall  endeavor  to  see  you 
again. 

Give  my  regards  to  the  officers  of  the  Chatauqua. 
Inform  them  of  my  present  brilliant  prospects.  Remem- 
ber me  kindly  to  Kate  Portington.  Possibly  she  may  be 
a  little  chilly  when  you  see  her  again. 

If  yon  capture  the  Ben  Lomond,  otherwise  the  Talla- 
poosa, it  would  make  you  a  lieutenant.  Do  it  by  all 
means. 

PiLLGRIM. 

Somers  read  this  singular  letter  three  times  before  he 
could  form  an  opinion  whether  or  not  its  statements  were 
mere  idle  boasts,  and  whether  or  not  they  had  a  foun- 
dation of  truth.  "Was  there  any  such  vessel  in  existence 
as  the  Ben  Lomond?  This  was  the  interesting  and  im- 
portant question  to  him.  At  this  time  the  Tallahassee 
was  making  fearful  ravages  among  the  shipping  on  the 
coast,  and  the  success  and  impunity  with  which  she  car* 
ried  on  her  depredations  offered  plenty  of  encouragement 
for  the  rebels  to  send  forth  similar  vessels,  if  they  could 
obtain  them. 

The  Ben  Nevis  had  been  named  after  a  mountain  in 
Scotland  ;  Ben  Lomond  was  the  name  of  another.  The 
former  was  a  Clyde-built  vessel,  and  it  would  have  been 
natural  to  give  these  twin  names  to  twin  steamers.  Pill- 
grim,  in  the  character  of  "  Coles,"  had  giv<»u  him  a 


LIFE  ON  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  183 

certain  amount  of  correct  information  in  respect  to  tha 
Ben  Nevis,  though  he  had  deceived  him  in  regard  to  her 
destination.  He  had  obtained  this  knowledge  by  acci' 
dent,  and  the  Ben  Nevis  had  been  captured. 

To  Somers  there  appeared  to  be  a  strong  probability 
that  the  statements  contained  in  the  letter  vpere  wholly  or 
partially  true.  There  were  only  two  rebel  ports  into 
which  it  was  possible  for  the  Ben  Lomond  to  have  run 
—  Mobile  and  Wilmington.  The  conspirators  had  told 
him  that  the  Bt*n  Nevis  was  bound  to  Mobile  when  she 
was  actually  going  to  Wilmington.  Pillgrim,  in  his  let- 
ter, declared  that  he  was  to  command  the  Tallapoosa. 
If  there  was  any  plan  at  all,  of  course  it  had  been  laid 
"before  the  Chatauqua  sailed  from  Philadelphia. 

Why  did  Pillgrim  start  for  Mobile  in  the  Chatauqua  ? 
Was  it  not  possible  that  he  intended,  as  second  lieuten- 
ant of  a  national  ship,  to  obtain  the  means  of  getting  the 
Ben  Lomond,  or  Tallapoosa,  through  the  blockading  fleet? 
Did  he  not  endeavor  to  involve  the  fourth  lieutenant  in 
the  meshes  of  the  conspiracy  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining 
his  assistance  in  this  work?  It  was  plausible.  Perhapa 
the  recreant  wretch  had  left  some  papers  in  his  state, 
room  on  board  the  Chatauqua,  which  would  be  intelli- 
gible in  the  light  which  he  could  bring  to  bear  upon 
them. 

Bewildered  and  astonished  by  the  prospect  before  him^ 
as  he  read  the  letter  again  and  again,  and  considered  ita 
16* 


186  Bit  AVE  OLD   SALT,    OB 

remarkable  statements  in  connection  with  his  previous 
kn:)wledge,  Somers  spent  the  whole  afternoon  in  his 
etate-room,  and  was  only  aroused  from  his  meditations 
by  the  supper  bell.  In  the  eveninj^  he  resumed  his 
study  of  the  case,  and  tried  to  reconcile  the  theory  he 
had  framed  with  reason  and  common  sense.  There  was 
nothing  to  conflict  with  this  theory  but  the  fact  that  Pill- 
grim  himself  had  given  him  the  information  upon  which 
it  was  based.  The  traitor  Avould  not  intentionally  betray 
himself.  Perhaps  he  did  not  expect  his  statements  would 
be  credited ;  or  if  he  did,  he  had  twice  before  been 
equally  reckless. 

Then  Somers  attempted  to  analyze  the  mental  constitu- 
tion of  Pillgrim.  The  conspirator  seemed  to  be  able  to 
endure  all  misfortunes.  The  loss  of  the  Ben  Nevis  had 
not  affected  him,  and  he  had  endangered,  defeated  his  plan 
to  recapture  her  by  indulging  in  idle  threats  before  the 
match  was  applied.  He  had  been  more  desirous  of  mor- 
tifying, humiliating,  and  overwhelming  Somers,  than  of 
recovering  his  lost  steamer.  With  great  talents  for 
scheming  and  plotting,  he  had  displayed  the  most  amaz- 
ing stupidity. 

At  this  point  the  remark  in  the  letter  that  Kate  Por- 
tington  would  be  chilly  when  he  saw  her  again,  came  up 
for  consideration.  Pillgrim  certainly  had  some  purpose 
in  view  which  was  equal  to,  or  greater  than,  his  desire  tc 
serve  the  South,  or  even  himself,  in  a  pecuniary  point  of 


LIFE   OxV  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  187 

view.  He  was  the  friend  of  the  commodore — had  known 
the  family  before  the  war,  Somers  could  not  help  be- 
lieving that,  in  spite  of  his  thirty-five  years,  he  was  ai 
aspirant  for  the  hand  of  Kate,  and  that  the  bond  he  had 
signed  Avas  for  Iier  use  rather  than  his  own. 

Miss  Portington  might  well  be  chilly,  if  she  discoveced 
that  Somers  had  pledged  a  part  of  her  fortune  at  the 
present  stage  of  proceedings  ! 

Somers  was  nervous  and  uneasy  until  he  had  reasoned- 
and  coaxed  himself  into  a  full  belief  in  the  theory  which 
he  had  suggested.  He  could  not  wait  for  evidence,  if, 
indeed,  any  could  be  obtained.  For  the  present  he  was 
satisfied,  and  determined  to  proceed  upon  his  hypothesis, 
just  as  though  every  point  in  the  ai'gument  had  been 
fully  substantiated. 

Our  young  officer  was  never  idle  when  it  was  possible 
to  work.  If  any  of  our  readers  believe  that  Somers  was 
very  "  smart,"  very  skilful,  and  very  fortunate  in  his 
previous  career,  we  beg  to  remind  them,  and  to  impress 
it  upon  their  minds  in  the  most  forcible  manner,  that  he 
owed  more  to  his  industry  and  perseverance  than  to  the 
accidents  of  natural  ability  and  favorable  circumstances 
combined.  For  example,  when  he  captured  the  Ben 
Nevis,  instead  of  gaping  idly  about  the  deck,  and  think- 
ing what  a  great  man  he  was,  he  went  into  the  hold,  and 
made  a  careful  examination  of  the  steamer's  cargo.  The 
knowledge  thus  gained  had  prevented  him  from  abandon' 


188'  J&RAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

ing  the  vessel  wheu  she  was  believed  to  be  on  fire,  and 
thus  saved  the  prize  and  coui'ounded  the  conspirators. 

Somers  was  not  idle  now.  He  procured  "  Blunt's 
Coast  Pilot,"  and  "  A  Chart  of  the  North  Coast  of  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  from  St.  Mark's  to  Galveston,"  of  the 
captain  of  the  steamer,  and  diligently  studied  up,  and 
even  committed  to  memory,  the  bearings,  distances,  and 
depths  of  water  in  Mobile  Bay  and  vicinity.  He  care- 
fully trained  his  mind  on  these  matters  so  important  to  a 
seaman  ;  and  being  blessed  with  a  retentive  memory,  he 
hoped  and  expected  to  have  this  knowledge  at  command 
when  it  should  be  serviceable.  It  was  hard  study  —  the 
hardest  and  dryest  kind  of  study  ;  but  he  stuck  to  it  as 
though  it  had  been  a  bewitching  novel. 

To  assist  his  design  he  drew  maps  and  charts  of  the 
coast  from  memory,  and  was  not  satisfied  till  he  could 
make  a  perfect  diagram  of  the  coast,  shoals,  islands,  and 
bars,  mark  the  prominent  objects  to  be  sighted  from  a 
vessel,  and  lay  down  the  depth  of  water.  He  had  noth- 
ing else  to  do  on  the  passage  ;  and  as  the  steamer  glided 
swiftly  over  the  summer  sea,  he  found  it  a  more  agrce^ 
able  occupation  than  smoking,  playing  cards,  and  "  spin- 
ning yarns,"  which  were  the  employments  of  his  fellow- 
passengers. 

On  the  eighth  day  from  Fortress  Monroe  the  supply 
steamer  reached  the  blockading  fleet  off"  Mobile  Bay,  and 
Somers  was  warmly  welcomed  by  his  brother  officers. 


LIFE    OX    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  189; 

Of  course  he  had  a  long  story  to  tell,  which  was  listened 
to  with  interest.  The  escape  of  the  late  second  lieuten- 
ant was  received  with  becoming  indignation.  Somers 
was  now  the  third  lieutenant  of  the  Chatauqua,  and  he 
moved  into  the  state-room  formerly  occupied  by  Mr. 
Garboard,  who  had  also  advanced  one  grade  in  his  rela- 
tive rank. 

"  Somers,  you  are  just  in  time  for  a  big  thing,"  said 
Mr.  Hackleford.  "  Our  Brave  Old  Salt  is  going  to  take 
us  up  Mobile  Bay  in  a  few  days." 

"Indeed?" 

"  Yes,  the  Old  Salamander  has  issued  his  orders." 

"  God  bless  him  !  "  ejaculated  Somers,  fervently,  in 
much  the  same  spirit  that  a  loyal  subject  speaks  of  a 
popular  monarch. 

"  Ay,  God  bless  him  !  "  replied  the  first  lieutenant. 
"He  is  the  ablest  naval  commander  the  world  has  yet 
produced.  In  my  opinion  he  is  the  superior  of  Nelson, 
CoUingwood,  Decatur,  Porter,  Preble,  and  Hull.  By  the 
way,  Mr.  Somers,  you  were  with  him  on  the  Mississippi?" 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  I  was  in  the  Harrisburg  when  the  fleet 
passed  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip.  But  I  am  rather 
Borry  the  attack  is  to  take  place  so  soon." 

"  Why  so  ?  " 

Then  Somers  showed  him  Pillgrim's  letter  ;  but  as  we 
intend  to  tell  only  what  was  done,  not  what  was  said,  we 
will  not  record  the  conversation. 


190  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

BRAVE    OLD    SALT. 

/^•jfc^HE  most  extensive  and  careful  preparations  were 
m\  ^"^  progress  for  the  events  which,  a  few  days 
^^J,y  Liter,  astonished  the  world  even  more  than  the 
splendid  achievements  of  the  fleet  below  New  Orleans. 
The  squadron  off  the  mouth  of  Mobile  Bay  had  been 
actively  employed  for  several  days  in  sending  down  top- 
masts, superfluous  spars,  and  rigging.  Chain  cables  had 
been  extended  over  the  sides  of  the  ships  where  the  ma- 
chinery was  exposed  to  injury  from  tJie  shot  and  Shell  of 
the  fort.  Chains  and  sand  bags  were  placed  on  the 
decks  where  plunging  shot  might  disable  the  engines. 
Boats  were  removed  from  tlie  starboard  to  the  port  sides, 
for  the  fleet  was  to  go  in  with  Fort  Morgan  on  the  right, 
and  close  aboard  of  them. 

The  preparations  were  advancing  when  Somers  re" 
ported  on  board  of  the  Chatauqua,  and  of  course  he  at 
once  experienced  the  inspiration  of  coming  events.  If 
there  was  any  man  in  the  navy  whom  he  admired  and 
reverenced,  that  man  was  Admiral  Farragut.     It  is  true. 


LIFE    OJSf    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  Vil 

he  was  not  singular  in  this  respect,  for  every  man  in  the 
Heet  was  equally  devoted  to  him.  The  "  Old  Salaman- 
der," who  seemed  never  to  be  happier  than  when  in  the 
midst  of  the  hottest  fire  which  the  engines  of  modern 
warfare  could  produce,  Avas  the  idol  of  both  officers  and 
seamen.  He  was  an  honest,  just,  and  humane  man,-one 
who  involuntarily  won  the  respect  of  every  person  with 
whom  he  came  iuto  contact. 

We  were  never  more  thoroughly  impressed  by  the 
honesty,  justice,  and  humanity  of  a  man,  than  when  we 
took  the  haud  of  this  "  Brave  Old  Salt."  His  expressive 
eye,  and  his  gentle,  but  dignified  bearing,  spoke  more 
truly  and  forcibly  of  what  he  was,  than  the  most  elabo- 
rate biography  which  the  pen  of  genius  could  produce.  It 
almost  passes  belief  that  men  can  stand  up  and  work  and 
fight  as  officers  and  seamen  worked  and  fought  between 
Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  and  at  Mobile  Bay  ;  but 
we  can  think  of  no  better  inspiration  than  the  leadership 
of  such  a  man  as  Admiral  Farragut. 

He  was  born  in  Tennessee  —  a  southern  state  ;  his 
home  was  in  Virginia  —  a  southern  state  —  at  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  rebellion.  With  all  the  motives  which 
actuated  Lee  and  Johnston,  Tatnall  and  Hollins,  to  in- 
duce him  to  abandon  tlie  old  flag  under  wdiich  he  had 
fought  in  early  youth,  and  served  through  all  his  man- 
hood, he  remained  true  to  his  country  in  the  hour  of  her 
eeverest  trial.     Neither  bribes  nor   threats  could  mora 


192  liRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OH 

him,  and  not  for  one  instant  did  he  falter  in  his  devotion 
to  the  flag  he  had  sworn  to  sustain  against  all  foes. 
Glory,  honor,  and  immortality  in  the  hearts  of  his  coun- 
trymen to  the  noble  Admiral ! 

As  a  naval  commander,  he  has  no  rival  in  the  past  or 
the  present,  iu  this  or  in  any  country.  He  has  achieved, 
once,  twice,  thrice,  what  any  board  of  naval  officers  that 
could  have  been  convened  from  the  boldest  and  most 
skilful  naval  heroes  of  the  united  nations,  would  have 
solemnly  pronounced  impossible.  Chance  might  have 
given  him  the  Lower  Mississippi  —  it  did  not;  but  it 
could  not  have  given  him  that  and  Mobile  Bay,  and  the 
brilliant  exploits  up  the  Great  River.  Chance  is  capri- 
cious ;  it  never  metes  out  uniform  success. 

Admiral  Farragut  is  not  simply  a  brave  and  skilful 
seaman,  for  the  stroke  of  genius  shines  out  iu  all  his  bat- 
tle plans,  in  all  his  preparations,  and  in  all  his  move- 
ments, whether  on  the  silent  river,  as  his  majestic  ship 
leads  in  the  van  to  the  conflict,  or  under  the  most  deadly 
and  destructive  fire  that  ever  Avas  rained  down  on  a 
woodeu  hull.  ''Brave  Old  Salt  "  in  the  main  rigging  of 
til 3  Hartford,  as  she  breasted  the  storm  of  shot  and  shell 
from  Fort  Morgan,  is' a  spectacle  more  sublime  than  can 
b^^  presented  in  the  annals  of  any  other  nation.  The 
p  isition  he  chose  for  himself  on  that  momentous  occasion, 
more  truly  indicates  the  key  to  his  marvellous  success 
than  any  other  fact  in   connection  with  the  battle.     He 


LIFE    OX    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  .193 

was  not  there  to  expose  himself  needlessly  to  deadly 
peril ;  he  was  there  to  see  and  take  advantage  of  the 
issues  of  t!ie  battle. 

His  position  was  a  symbol  of  the  intelligence  and 
bravery  which  won  the  great  battle.  He  saw  with  his 
own  eyes  —  not  with  others  ;  while  his  glorious  personal 
devotion  was  a  type  for  every  other  man,  which  was 
imitated  from  commodores  down  to  powder-boys.  We 
read  of  a  general  who  could  not  remember  where  he  Avas 
during  one  of  the  severest  and  most  destructive  fights  of 
the  war.  If  he  had  been  in  a  position  corresponding  to 
that  of  the  doughty  old  admiral,  it  would  have  been  diffi- 
cult for  him  to  forget  it.  But  personal  bravery  alone 
does  not  win  the  battle  on  the  sea  or  the  land.  The 
admiral's  victories  are  due  even  more  to  his  genius  —  to 
his  persevering  industry  in  the  elaboration  of  prepai-atory 
details. 

"  Brave  Old  Salt,"  as  Somers  always  called  him,  was 
our  young  officer's  beau-ideal  of  a  naval  commander. 
"  Brave  "  he  certainly  was,  and  "  Old  Salt,"  to  a  sailor, 
means  something  more  than  a  long  experience  at  sea. 
It  conveys  to  the  nautical  mind  an  idea  of  skill  which  no 
"  lubber  "  can  possess.  It  was  bravery,  seamanship, 
and  those  peculiar  qualities  which  an  "  old  salt "  pos- 
sesses, that  made  him  great  on  the  quarter  deck,  in  com- 
mand of  a  squadron. 

Somers's  admiration  for  the  commander-iu-chief  of  the 
17 


194  BnAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

fleet  off  Mobile  Bay  was  of  no  recent  origin.  Since  h« 
had  first  known  him  as  "Flag  Oificer  Farragut"  at 
Ship  Island,  before  the  grade  of  Rear  and  Vice  Admiral 
had  been  created  in  our  navy,  he  had  reverenced  him  as 
a  superior  man,  and  looked  up  to  him  with  an  almost 
superstitious  awe.  lie  could  hardly  realize  that  they 
"were  both  of  the  same  earthly  mould,  with  the  like  hu- 
man hopes  and  aspirations.  Though,  for  a  young  man 
of  his  age,  Somers  regarded  his  rank  of  master  as  very 
high,  it  did  not  permit  him  to  abate  one  jot  or  tittle  of 
the  distance  which  lay  between  him  and  the  admiral. 
He  did  not  feel  any  better  entitled  to  tread  the  same 
deck  with  the  glorious  old  hero,  as  a  master,  than  he  did 
as  an  ordinary  seaman. 

Somers  returned  to  active  duty  as  soon  as  he  had 
reported  to  the  first  lieutenant  of  the  Chatauqua,  and  he 
had  the  deck  in  the  first  dog  watch  on  the  day  of  his 
arrival.  During  the  afternoon  watch  he  had  had  plenty 
of  time  to  report  the  incidents  of  his  cruise  in  the  Ben 
Kevis.  Mr.  Hackleford  had  immediately  communicated 
to  the  captain  the  facts  concerning  Pillgrim's  letter,  and 
the  recreant  lieutenant's  papers  had  been  carefully  over- 
hauled in  search  of  anything  which  would  shed  a  ray  of 
light  upon  the  statements  of  the  strange  letter. 

The  only  document  wliich  looked  at  all  hopeful  was  a 
note  written  in  cipher,  to  which  there  was  no  key  among 
the  papers.     If  the  communication  had  been  in  Chinese 


LIFE  ON  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  195 

or  Chaldaic,  there  might  have  been  a  chance  of  unravel- 
ling it ;  as  it  was,  the  note  was  written  in  arbitrary 
characters,  which  were  as  cabalistic  and  unintelligible  as 
the  Egyptian  hieroglyphics.  Somers  was  annoyed  and 
discomfited,  for  he  had  confidently  reckoned  upon  finding 
some  letter  which  contained  a  hint  to  guide  him.  There 
was  nothing  but  this  note  in  cipher. 

To  add  to  his  chagrin,  Mr.  Hackleford  was  utterly 
sceptical  in  regard  to  Pillgrim's  letter  —  did  not  believe 
the  first  word  of  it — called  it  "gas,"  and  declared  that 
it  would  be  stupid  and  childish  to  pay  the  least  attention 
to  the  document.  Captain  Cascabel  fully  concurred  with 
him  in  this  opinion,  and  both  of  them  laughed  at  Somers 
for  bestowing  a  second  thought  upon  it. 

''  Nonsense  !  Mr.  Somers  !  "  exclaimed  the  first  lieu- 
tenant. "  There  isn't  a  single  scintillation  of  truth  in  the 
story.  If  there  were  even  a  glimmering  of  reality  in  the 
thing,  I  would  look  into  it." 

"  But  Mr.  Pillgrim  told  me  some  truth  in  regard  to  the 
Ben  Nevis,"  argued  Somers. 

"  That  is  the  best  reason  in  the  world  for  believing  he 
has  not  done  so  in  this  instance,"  said  Mr  Hackleford. 

"■  I  suppose  I  must  give  up  the  idea,  then." 

"  You  must,  indeed.  If  you  don't,  I  am  afraid  your  rep- 
utation for  common  sense  and  good  judgment  will  suffer." 

"  Will  you  allow  me  to  take  this  letter  in  cipher,  and 
keep  it  till  to-morrow  ?  "  asked  Somers. 

"  Certainly." 


196  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

Somers  took  the  letter,  and  put  it  into  his  pocket  until 
he  had  an  opportunity  to  study  its  mystic  characters. 
He  was  mortified  by  the  rebuff  he  had  received,  but  his 
faith,  though  somewhat  shaken,  was  not  destroyed.  He 
was  officer  of  the  deck  from  four  till  six.  Just  before  he 
was  relieved,  he  ordered  the  side  to  be  mauned  to  receive 
the  captain,  Avho  was  just  returning  from  a  visit  to  the 
flag-ship. 

As  he  touched  his  cap  to  Captain  Cascabel,  he  noticed 
a  smile  on  his  commander's  face,  which  seemed  to  relate 
to  him,  and  he  blushed  beneath  the  pleasant,  but  expres- 
sive glance  bestowed  upon  him. 

"  Mr.  Somers,"  said  the  captain. 

The  officer  of  the  deck  stepped  forward,  and  saluted 
the  commander  again. 

"  You  are  invited  to  dine  Avith  Admiral  Farragut  to- 
morrow afternoon." 

"  I,  sir  !  "  exclaimed  Somers,  completely  overwhelmed 
by  this  remarkable  declaration. 

"  Rear  Admiral  Farragut  presents  his  compliments  to 
Mr.  Somers,  and  would  be  happy  to  see  him  at  dinuer 
to-morrow,  on  board  the  Hartford." 

The  captain  passed  on  to  the  companion-way,  leading 
to  his  cabin,  leaving  Somers  as  bewildered  as  though  he 
had  been  invited  to  dine  with  Queen  Victoria,  Louis  Na- 
poleon, aud  the  Emperor  of  Russia  ;  indeed,  he  regarded 
it  as  a  much  greater  honor  to   dine  with   "■  Brave  Old 


LIFE    ON   THE   QUARTER   DECK.  197 

Salt,"  than  to  put  his  feet  under  the  mahogany  of  the 
mightiest  crowned  head  of  the  world.  It  was  evident 
that  somebody  had  been  talking  to  the  admiral  about 
him ;  the  captain  and  the  first  lieutenant  of  the  Chatau- 
qtia  certainly  felt  kindly  enough  towards  him  to  do  so. 

To  dine  with  Admiral  Farragut !  That  was  glory 
enough  for  a  lifetime  ;  or  at  least  to  be  deemed  worthy 
of  such  a  distinction.  Our  friend  Somers  was  no  snob  ; 
he  "  looked  up  "  to  great  people,  especially  to  those  who 
■were  really  great.  He  pretended  to  no  familiarity  with 
his  superiors,  though  some  of  the  officers  were  dying  with 
envy  at  the  notice  taken  of  him  by  the  captain  and  first 
lieutenant  of  the  ship.  He  did  not  assume  to  be  familiar 
with  men  who  had  won  a  deathless  fame  in  defending 
their  country's  cause.  Perhaps  there  was  not  an  officer 
in  the  fleet  who  Avould  so  highly  appreciate  such  a  com- 
pliment as  that  of  Avhich  he  was  now  the  happy  recipient. 

When  he  was  relieved  from  the  deck,  and  went  down 
into  the  ward-room,  the  news  had  gone  before  him, 
and  the  *'  idlers "  there  congratulated  him  upon  his 
rising  fame.  But  Somers  broke  away  from  them  as  soon 
as  he  could  decently  do  so,  and  shut  himself  up  in  his 
«5t«te-room.  He  was  actmiUy  dizzy  at  the  idea  of  sitting 
down  at  the  table  with  *"  Brave  Old  Salt"  in  the  cabin 
')f  the  Hartford  ;  and  though  he  took  the  cabalistic  note 
of  Mr.  Pillgrim  from  his  pocket,  at  least  half  an  hour  was 
wasted  before  he  could  apply  his  miud  jindividedly  to  the 
17  * 


198  BRAVE   OLD  SALT,  OR 

difficult  problem  before  him.  Finally,  the  hope  of  making 
a  grand  revelation  to  the  admiral  on  the  morrow  fired  his 
zeal  to  such  a  pitch  that  the  work  looked  like  play  to  liim. 
Somers  opened  the  mysterious  document  and  spread  it 
out  on  the  desk,  at  which  he  seated  himself.  It  looked 
dark  and  hopeless,  with  its  dots  and  dashes,  its  horizon- 
tals and  perpendiculars,  its  curves  and  crosses.  We  pre- 
sent the  note  in  full,  that  our  readers  may  be  able  to 
appreciate  the  difficulty  of  the  task  he  had  undertaken. 

•  •  • 

f  ^  j  X-  j'vy  X  V!  =  Kl  X  !• -x  J.  i  X 

=  r-f  V !  X 1 ! iii-v^C  X  il i XX  =  i wj-.q 
*    ♦     •        •   » 

xcjiii  .xoiixi^!  XLi  =  =  i'>^i  XK 

i  ^ !  X  ")  !•—  i-X  J  I  VV  X-  I  X.l.iM.  LA 

n  x-0xi^j  xo! — ixnx  ).i^ 
l"\  XX  ON  x  =  j["ixc!ix"^|.-.XNl 
X- j->!— I  xn.i.i  xi!  =  |  X 


LIFE    OX   THE    QUARTER    DECK.  199 

If  Somers  had  been  a  student  of  the  occult  sciences,  he 
might  have  been  more  liopeful.  An  hour's  hard  study 
brought  a  gleam  of  light.  He  thought  the  note  must  be 
signed  bj  Langdon.  Tliere  were  seven  letters  in  the 
signature.  This  was  his  first  ray  of  hope.  He  then 
placed  all  the  letters  of  the  alpliabet  in  a  column,  and 
figainst  each  made  the  character  tliat  represented  it  in 
the  cipher.      Six  letters  Avere  thus  interpreted. 

The  next  step  was  to  place  each  of  the  letters  thus  dis- 
covered over  its  sign  in  the  note.  The  second  and  third 
words  of  the  epistle  then  stood,  the  eights  being  for 
undiscovered  letters,  as  follows  :  88nxlo8ond. 

"  Ben  Lomond  !  "  exclaimed  Somers,  as  he  gave  a 
smart  rap  on  the  desk  to  indicate  his  joy  at  the 
discovery. 

Three  more  letters  were  gained,  and  the  oblique  cross 
was  only  a  mark  to  divide  the  words.  The  three  letters 
before  Ben  Lomond  must  be,  t  h  e.  The  solution  began 
to  be  easy,  though  it  required  a  long  time  to  reach  it. 
At  midnight,  when  he  was  called  to  take  the  mid  watch, 
he  had  it  written  out  as  follows  :  — 

Washington,    Twentieth  of  June. 
The  Ben  Lomond  is   at  3fohile,  fitting  out.      Mallory 
yioes  you  the  command.      The  forts  will  he  attacked  by  tin 
first  of  August.      Yoa  must  get  her  out  before  that  time. 

Lang  BOX. 


200  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 


CHAPTP^R    XIX. 


THE    BOAT    KXPEDITIOX. 


T  general  quarters,  on  the  following  day,  SomerB 
looked  somewhat  care-worn.  It  was  midnight 
when  he  had  worked  out  the  solution  of  the 
cipher,  and  at  this  hour  he  had  been  called  to 
take  the  mid  watch.  But  there  was  no  happier  or  more 
exultant  man  in  the  fleet.  His  conquest  over  the  cabalis- 
tic letter  had  confirmed  his  theory.  The  Ben  Lomond 
was  not  a  myth,  and  she  was  at  Mobile.  Fillgrim  had 
expressed  a  desire  to  see  Somers  again,  and  there  was  a 
fair  prospect  that  he  might  yet  be  able  to  do  so. 

The  important  event  of  this  day  was  the  dinner  with 
"  Brave  Old  Salt."  But  the  letter  and  the  dinner  seemed 
to  be  inseparably  connected.  Somers  had  given  the 
translation  to  the  first  lieutenant,  Avho,  to  the  chagriu 
and  mortification  of  the  persevering  student,  did  not 
appear  to  attach  much  importance  to  the  letter. 

"■  If  the  Tallapoosa,  or  Ben  Lomond,  is  in  the  bay, 
we  shall  soon  have  her,"  said  Mr.  Ilackleford,  "  for  we 
are  going  to  make  the  attack  on  the  forts  within  e  few 
^ays." 


LIFE    Oy    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  201 

"The  attack  may  fail,  and  thus  atford  an  opportunity 
for  the  cruiser  to  come  out,"  suggested  Somers. 

"Fail?" 

The  third  lieutenant  of  the  Chatauqua  stood  abashed 
before  the  look  of  his  superior.  He  did  not  believe  that 
any  attack  made  by  Admiral  Farragut  could  fail,  but  it 
was  possible  for  the  Confederate  steamer  to  run  the 
blockade,  as  hundreds  had  done  before  her,  especially  as 
she  could  steam  sixteen  knots. 

"  I  don't  think  the  attack  will  fail,  sir  ;  but  even  a  vic- 
tory might  afford  the  Ben  Lomond  a  chance  to  run  out," 

"  I  don't  think  there  is  much  chance  ;  but  Captain  Cas- 
cabel  has  your  solution  of  the  letter  under  consideration. 
Perhaps  the  admiral  may  have  something  to  say  about  it." 
Somers  was  not  satisfied  wirli  the  reception  given  to 
his  revelation.  He  had  already  formed  a  plan  for  ascer- 
taining where  the  Ben  Lomond  was,  but  the  cool  manner 
in  which  his  communication  was  received  prevented  him 
from  even  mentioning  it. 

In  the  afternoon,  the  captain's  gig  came  up  to  the 
accommodation  ladder,  and  the  commander,  attended  by 
Somers,  seated  himself  in  the  stern-sheets.  Captain 
'Cascabel  was  received  with  due  honors  on  the  quarter 
deck  of  the  Hartford,  where  the  gallant  admiral  was 
walking  at  the  time. 

When  his  superior  had  been  welcomed  Avith  dignified 
cordiality,  Captain    Cascabel   introduced    Somers.     The 


202  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

admiral  bowed,  smiled  pleasautlj,  and  did  not  look 
patronizingly  upon  the  young  officer,  as  he  might  have 
been  pardoned  for  doing.  As  he  stood  there  on  the  quar- 
ter deck  of  the  flag-ship,  he  was  full  of  genuine  dignity 
and  true  manliness  —  a  noble  representative  of  the  Amer- 
ican na\  al  commander,  lie  was  of  medium  stature, 
well  formed,  and  of  elegant  proportions.  He  seemed  to 
be  made  of  nerves  and  muscles,  and  when  he  moved 
there  was  an  elastic  spring  to  his  frame,  which  impressed 
the  observer  with  the  idea  of  energy  and  vigor.  He  did 
not  appear  to  stand  on  the  deck,  but  to  be  poised  inde- 
pendently in  the  air,  resting  on  the  planks  beneath  him 
more  because  it  was  the  fashion  to  do  so,  than  because 
he  had  any  need  of  such  support. 

Somers  removed  his  cap,  made  his  best  bow,  and 
blushed  like  a  summer  rose.  He  was  deeply  impressed 
by  the  glance  of  the  admiral,  and  the  atmosphere  around 
him  seemed  to  be  full  of  the  man  at  whom  he  gazed  in 
reverent  admiration. 

"  Mr.  Somers,  I  am  happy  to  see  you,"  said  the  admi- 
ral, in  a  tone  so  gentle  and  affable  that  it  seemed  to 
remove  the  "  curse "  of  greatness  far  from  liim.  "  I 
have  heard  of  you  before,  and  I  doubt  not  we  shall  be 
able  to  make  you  very  useful  to  your  country." 

"  Thank  you,  sir,"  replied  Somers,  not  daring  to  say 
any  more,  and  with  the  feeling  of  his  childhood,  that 
*'  boys  ought  to  be  seen,  not  heard." 


LIFE    OX    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  205 

The  admiral,  with  this  judicious  commeudation,  turned 
to  Captain  Cascabel,  and  opened  conversation  with  him, 
evidently  determined  not  to  spoil  the  young  man  by 
taking  too  much  notice  of  him.  Somers  was  soon  at 
home  with  the  officers  of  the  Hartford,  and  behaved  him- 
self with  becoming  modesty  and  discretion.  He  dined 
with  the  admiral,  several  other  officers  of  distinction 
being  present.  The  conversation  at  the  table,  singularly 
enough,  it  may  appear  to  our  readers,  did  not  relate  to 
the  war,  or  even  to  the  navy.  These  topics  appeared  to 
be  carefully  excluded,  though  the  reserve  on  this  occasion 
was  probably  accidental. 

Somers  found  sufficient  pleasure  in  looking  at  and 
listening  to  the  admiral,  and  the  other  distinguished  offi- 
cers, though  he  was  not  ignored,  being  kindly  encouraged, 
by  an  occasional  question,  to  use  his  voice.  But  he  was 
not  forward,  and  his  very  nature  prevented  him  from 
indulging  in  any  of  that  impudent  familiarity  which  is  so 
offensive  to  elderly  men,  especially  if  they  occupy  high 
positions. 

After  dinner,  a  matter  of  business  came  up,  and  it 
soon  appeared  that  Captain  Cascabel  had  given  the  admi- 
ral all  the  particulars  relating  to  the  Ben  Lomond,  includ- 
ing the  letter  in  cipher,  which  Somers  had  interpreted. 
The  conversation  took  place  in  private,  with  only  the 
three  persons  present  who  were  moft  intimately  con- 
cerned. The  letter  was  exhibited,  and  its  solution  ex- 
plained. 


204  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  Mr.  Somers,  what  is  yonr  plan  ?  I  am  iuforniccl 
that  you  have  one,"  said  the  admiral. 

"  I  have  one,  sir,  but  I  hardly  hope  it  will  merit  youi 
approbation,"  replied  the  third  lieutenant  of  the  Cha- 
tauqua. 

"  We  will  hear  it,  if  you  please.  By  the  way,  our 
picket  boats  report  that  a  steamer  came  down  the  bay 
this  morning,  and  moored  inside  the  Middle  Ground.  It 
may  be  the  one  mentioned  in  your  letter  —  the  Talla- 
poosa." 

"  Probably  it  is,  sir.  She  can  now  only  be  waiting 
the  arrival  of  Lieutenant  Pillgrim,  who  is  to  command 
her." 

"  We  must  capture  that  man.  State  your  plan,  Mr. 
Somers." 

The  young  officer,  Avith  no  little  trepidation,  related 
the  particulars  of  the  method  he  had  considered  for  the 
capture  of  the  Ben  Lomond. 

"  Very  daring  and  impudent,  Mr.  Somers,"  said  the 
admiral,  as  he  glanced  with  a  meaning  smile  at  Captain 
Cascabel. 

"Mr.  Somers's /or^e  is  daring  and  impudence.  But 
his  scheme,  besides  being  based  on  mere  theory,  is  abso- 
lutely fool-hardy,"  added  the  captain,  ihroAving  a  whole 
bucket  of  cold  water  on  the  young  offi(  er's  prospects. 

"  I  do  not  wholly  agree  with  you,  captam.  By  the 
report  of  the  picket  boats,  there  is  certainly  a  sea-going 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  20 J 

steamer  in  the  bay.  That,  in  a  measure,  confirms  Mr, 
Somers's  theory.  Now,  it'  the  vessel  is  there,  the  youug 
man  may  bring  lier  out  it'  lie  has  the  ability  to  do  so. 
What  force  do  you  require,  Mr.  Somers?" 

"  The  first  cutter  of  the  Chatauqua,  and  twenty-four 
men." 

"  You  shall  have  them,  Mr.  Somers,"  said  the  admiral. 
"  Instead  of  the  first  cutter,  I  suggest  a  whale-boat, 
which  will  not  be  much  more  than  half  as  heavy." 

"  That  would  be  better,  sir,"  replied  Somers,  hardly 
able  to  conceal  the  joy  and  exultation  he  felt  at  the  pros- 
pect of  being  permitted  to  carry  out  his  plan. 

"  Captain,  you  will  permit  Mr.  Somers  to  pick  his 
men,  and  afford  him  every  facility  for  the  execution  of 
his  purpose." 

"  I  will,  with  pleasure,  sir." 

"When  do  you  Avish  to  begin,  Mr.  Somers?"  asked 
the  admiral. 

"  To-night,  sir." 

"  Very  well.  The  monitors  haven't  arrived,  captain, 
and  it  may  be  a  fortnight  before  we  make  the  attack  ou 
the  forts.  The  steamer  may  run  out  in  a  fog  or  storm 
before  that  time,  and  I  think  we  do  well  to  prevent 
another  Tuscaloosa  from  preying  on  the  commerce  of  the 
country." 

"  Undoubtedly,  sir,  if  we  can." 

"  Mr.  Somers's  scheme  may  possibly  succeed,  though  I 
18 


i06  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

do  not  think  his  chances  of  cutting  out  the  steamer 
are  very  encouraging." 

"  I  am  afraid  not,  admiral,"  answered  Captain  Casca- 
bel,  incredulously. 

"  Mr.  Somers,  your  reputation  would  be  seriously 
damaged  by  the  failure  of  your  enterprise.  Your  offi- 
cers would  be  more  unwilling  to  trust  you  than  they  are 
now  if  you  should  meet  with  a  disaster." 

"  I  could  not  complain.  I  do  not  intend  to  meet  with 
any  disaster.  If  I  do  nothing  better,  I  shall  bring  my 
men  back  with  me." 

The  admiral  laughed,  and  seemed  to  be  pleased  with 
this  confidence,  while  Captain  Cascabel  shook  his  head. 

"  Mr.  Somers,  the  risk  is  very  great.  You  and  your 
men  may  be  prisoners  in  Fort  Morgan  within  twenty- 
four  hours.  A  failure  would  damage,  if  not  ruin  you. 
Are  you  still  ready  to  undertake  the  work  ?  "  asked  the 
admiral. 

"  I  am,  sir." 

"  Remember  that  everything  depends  upon  yourself. 
My  best  wishes  for  your  success  go  with  you." 

Somers  needed  no  better  inspiration,  and  his  frame 
seemed  to  jerk  and  spring  like  that  of  Brave  Old  Salt, 
when  he  realized  that  he  was  actually  to  undertake  his 
cherished  purpose. 

The  gig  pulled  back  to  the  Chatauqua,  and  Somers 
immediately  commenced  his  preparations.     The  cordial 


LIFE    OX    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  207 

indorsement  of  the  admiral  Avas  enough  to  silence  all 
opposition,  and  to  "  put  a  stopper  on  the  jaw-tackle  of 
all  croakers."  lie  was  earnestly  seconded  by  the  captain 
and  his  officers.  In  a  f^liort  time  a  light  whale-boat  Avas 
towed  lip,  and  made  fast  to  the  boom. 

Somers's  first  duty  was  to  select  his  crew.  He  was  to 
engage  in  a  desperate  enterprise,  and  everything  must 
depend  upon  the  skill  and  bravery,  as  well  as  the  silence 
and  discretion,  of  his  force.  The  first  person  selected 
was  the  boatswain,  Tom  Longstone,  who,  being  better 
acquainted  with  the  qualities  of  the  seamen,  was  in- 
trusted with  the  selection  of  the  boat's  crew.  Just  as 
soon  as  it  was  discovered  that  some  daring  enterprise 
was  to  be  undertaken  by  the  third  lieutenant,  he  was 
beset  by  eager  applicants  for  a  place  in  the  boat.  Act- 
ing ensigns,  mastei's'  mates,  midshipmen,  indeed,  all  the 
officers  below  Somers  in  rank,  begged  to  be  appointed. 

The  young  commander  of  the  expedition  was  prudent 
and  cautious,  and  he  accepted  the  services  of  none. 
Tom  Longstone  was  the  only  officer  to  accompany  him. 
The  boatswain  would  obey  his  orders  Avithout  asking  any 
questions,  or  bothering  him  with  any  advice. 

"  There,  Mr.  Somers,  I  have  picked  out  the  twenty, 
four  best  men  in  the  ship  —  men  that  will  work,  fight, 
and  hold  their  tongues,"  said  BoatsAvain  Longstone, 
Avhen  he  had  executed  the  important  trust  committed 
to  him. 


208  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  ITiank  you,  boiitswain.  AVhat  do  you  think  of  the 
weather  ?  " 

"•  It's  going  to  be  a  nasty  night." 

"  So  much  the  better.  Let  every  man  take  his  pea- 
jacket  ;  apply  to  the  armorer  for  revolvers  and  cutlasses 
for  each  of  them." 

"  A  howitzer,  Mr.  Somcrs?" 

*■'  No  ;  we  must  go  as  light  as  possible,"  replied  Som- 
ers,  as  he  proceeded  to  instruct  the  boatswain  in  regard 
to  certain  '•'•  slings "  and  other  rigging  that  would  be 
wanted. 

Boatswain  Longstone  did  not  ask  a  single  question 
about  the  nature  or  object  of  the  enterprise ;  and  with 
the  exception  of  the  admiral,  and  the  captain  and  first 
lieutenant  of  the  Chatauqna,not  a  man  in  the  fleet  besides 
Somers  knew  "  what  was  up."  It  was  necessary  to 
conduct  the  enterprise  with  the  utmost  caution  .md  se- 
crecy. 

The  boatswain's  predictions  in  regard  to  the  weather 
proved  lo  be  entirely  correct,  for  at  eight  bells,  when  the 
first  watch  was  set,  it  was  dark,  foggy,  and  rainy.  Som- 
ers had  calculated  upon  this  weather,  when  he  had  so 
promptly  chosen  the  time  for  his  venture.  It  was  just 
the  night  for  a  difficult  and  dangerous  enterprise,  and  the 
fog  and  the  darkness  were  its  best  friends.  While  the 
boatswain  was  carrying  out  the  orders  given  him,  Som- 
ers had  been  engaged  at  the  desk  in  his  state-room,  pre- 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  209 

paring  for  use  certain  papers,  including  his  commander's 
commission  in  the  Confederate  navy,  and  his  letter  of 
instructions,  intended  for  the  Beu  Nevis,  or  Louisiana. 
With  his  knife  he  scratched,  and  with  his  pen  he  wrote, 
imtil  the  documents  suited  his  present  purpose  ;  and  they 
were  placed  in  his  pocket. 

At  two  hells  —  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening  —  while  the 
rain  poured  down  in  torrents,  Somers  embarked  with  his 
force,  consisting  of  Tom  Longstone  and  twenty-four  as 
athletic  and  resolute  fellows  as  ever  pulled  an  oar  or 
handled  a  cutlass.  The  whale-boat  was  crowded,  though 
it  was  of  the  largest  size,  being  thirty  feet  in  length. 
The  oars  were  carefully  muffled,  and  the  seamen  were 
so  disposed  that  the  oarsmen  could  be  relieved  without 
noise. 

Wrapping  his  overcoat  closely  around  him,  Somers 
seated  himself  in  the  stern-sheets  of  the  whale-boat,  with 
the  boatswain  at  his  side.  Though  profoundly  impressed 
by  the  magnitude  and  danger  of  the  work  in  which  he 
was  engaged,  he  could  not  help  thinking  of  the  changes 
which  had  checkered  his  lot,  since,  two  years  before,  he 
had  sat  in  the  first  cutter  of  the  Ilarrisburg,  as  an  ordi- 
nary seaman.  Now  he  was  a  master,  and  in  command  of 
the  expedition.  Tom  Longstone  had  been  with  him 
then  ;  he  was  with  him  now.  In  low  tones,  they  talked 
of  that  eventful  night,  and  of  the  changes  which  had 
occurred  since  that  time. 
18* 


210  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

Somers  was  grateful  for  his  advancement,  and  thanked 
God  that  he  had  been  enabled  to  perform  his  duty  so  as 
to  merit  the  favor  of  his  superiors.  And  in  the  depths 
of  his  heart  he  asked  God  to  bless  his  present  exertions 
for  the  good  of  his  country.  He  leaned  on  the  Good 
Father  even  in  tliis  exciting  hour,  and  his  religious  faith 
was  the  strength  of  his  arm. 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER   DECK.  211 


CHAPTER    XX. 


THE    PICKET    BOAT. 


/^^jfc^'HROUGH  the  deep  darkness  and  the  dense  fog 
Al  the  boat  made  its  way.  There  was  not  an  ob- 
^^_[y  ject  to  be  seen,  on  ship  or  shore,  to  guide  its 
course  ;  and  in  front  of  Somers  there  was  a  patent  bin- 
nacle, whose  lights  were  reflected  on  the  compass,  but 
did  not  even  soften  the  gloom  without,  into  which  he  con- 
tinued to  gaze  with  the  most  anxious  solicitude.  He  had 
carefully  estimated  the  currents  the  whale-boat  would 
encounter,  and  calculated  the  force  of  the  wind,  so  as 
to  determine  her  lee-way  with  the  nicest  practicable 
accuracy. 

The  young  commander  of  the  expedition  hoped  to 
strike  a  certain  point  of  the  land  to  the  eastward  of  the 
fort  on  Mobile  Point,  distant  five  and  a  half  miles  from 
the  ship.  Half  a  mile  east  or  west  of  the  desired  point 
might  involve  him  in  serious  if  not  fatal  difficulties,  and 
everything  depended  upon  the  a«curacy  of  his  calcula- 
tions. His  early  experience  as  a  boatman  at  Pinchbrook 
Ha^bo^  was  of  incalculable  service  to  him,  since  nothing 


212  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

can  supply  the  place  of  actual  observation  in  the  making 
of  such  nice  estimates  as  were  required  for  success  in  the 
present  instance. 

The  rain  poured  down  in  torrents,  and  the  sea  was 
rough  and  uneasy ;  but  Somers,  never  for  an  instant 
turned  aside  from  the  grand  object  before  him  by  the 
discomforts  of  his  situation,  watched  his  compass  and 
closely  observed  every  motion  of  the  whale-boat.  He 
was  fired  with  zeal,  but  he  was  not  excited,  for  he  knew 
how  much  depended  upon  cool  judgment  and  careful  ex- 
ecution of  the  details  of  his  work. 

"  Breakers  ahead  !  "  said  the  bowman,  in  a  low  tone ; 
and  the  words  were  passed  aft  to  the  officer. 

Breakers  were  to  be  expected  ;  and  of  course  Somers 
was  not  appalled  by  the  announcement.  The  boat  dashed 
on  till  she  reached  the  broken  water  ;  but  the  surf  on  the 
shore,  thrown  up  by  the  storm,  was  absolutely  fearful, 
A  stunning  roar  broke  upon  the  ears  of  the  young  officer 
as  the  frail  craft  approached  the  foaming  billows  that 
shattered  themselves  on  the  beach. 

"  That's  a  heavy  surf,  Mr.  Somers,"  said  Tom  Long- 
stone. 

"  So  much  the  Isetter,"  replied  the  officer,  cheerfully. 

"  This  whale-boat  will  not  be  much  better  than  a  cockle- 
shell in  that  surf." 

"  She  will  go  through  it,  if  she  is  well  handled." 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir  ;  of  course  she  will." 


LIFE    OX    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  213 

"  The  rebels  will  not  expect  a  boat  to  land  in  such  a 
surf  and  on  such  a  night.  We  shall  not  be  expected," 
replied  Somers,  iu  a  loud  tone,  for  whispers  and  soft 
speech  could  not  be  heard  above  the  roar  of  the  billows. 

The  commander  of  the  expedition  stood  up  in  the 
stern-sheets,  and  attempted  to  penetrate  the  gloonj.  and 
fog  in  the  direction  of  the  beach  ;  but  neither  sight  nor 
sound  of  the  shore  could  be  obtained.  To  plunge  through, 
that  boiling  surf  upon  a  rebel  battery  or  an  artillery  com- 
pany, would  be  a  sad  conclusion  of  the  night's  work  ;  but 
even  this  must  be  risked,  for  it  was  not  possible  to  obtain 
a  single  item  of  information  in  regard  to  the  surround- 
ings on  shore. 

"  Oars  I  "  shouted  Somers,  when  he  had  completed  his 
unsatisfactory  survey  shoreward,  and  there  was  not  the 
slightest  danger  of  his  order  being  heard  by  an  enemy 
beyond  the  thundering  roll  of  the  sea.      "  Hold  water !  " 

The  onward  progress  of  the  boat  was  stopped. 

"  Back  the  starboard,  pull  the  port  oars  !  "  added  the 
officer,  who  had  now  taken  the  management  of  the  boat 
out  of  the  hands  of  the  coxswain.  "  Oars  !  "  he  con- 
tinued, wiien  the  boat  was  turned  so  as  to  head  directly 
from  the  shore.  , 

"■  Now.  my  lads,  pull  steady,  and  mind  the  orders 
promptly."  said  the  confident  young  officer.  "  There's  a 
heavy  surf;  but  if  you  pull  strong,  and  mind  quick,  we 
shall  be  throu^'h   it  iu  a  moment," 


214  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OS 

"  Aj,  ay,  sir  !  "  responded  the  blue-jackets. 

"  Stern,  all !  "  continued  Somers,  when  he  had  car* 
fully  observed  the  sweep  of  the  last  wave. 

The  oarsmen  backed  water,  and  tlie  boat  moved  to- 
wards the  shore,  stern  foremost.  In  a  moment  she  was 
lifted  up  by  a  great  billow  and  swept  furiously  towards 
the  beach. 

"  Steady ! "  said  Somers,  gazing  forward  over  the 
heads  of  the  men,  watching  the  approach  of  the  next 
foam-crested  wave. 

The  men  Avere  entirely  cool,  and  their  iron  muscles 
held  the  boat  under  perfect  control.  A  huge  roller  was 
coming  in,  fiercely,  rapidly,  at  double  or  triple  the  speed 
of  the  whale-boat,  and  the  first  great  peril  of  the  surf 
was  at  hand. 

The  danger  was,  as  our  inexperienced  readers  may  not 
understand,  that  the  stern  of  the  boat,  suddenly  struck 
by  the  swift-flying  wave,  would  be  lifted  high  in  air,  and 
the  bow  forced  under  ;  or  that  the  boat  woidd  broach  to, 
and  be  rolled  over  in  the  sea.  In  either  case  the  boat 
would  be  swamped,  and  eventually  be  stove  on  the  beach. 
Somers  saw  one  of  these  rushino^  billows  cominjir  down 
with  frightful  velocity  upon  the  whale-boat. 

,"  Oars !  "  cried  he ;  and  the  men  ceased  backing 
her. 

"  Give  way!  "  he  added,  with  an  energy  which  was 
at  once  communicated  to  the  muscles  of  the  men  ;   and 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  215 

they  pulled  steadily,  as  a  well-disciplined  crew  always 
does,  but  with  a  firmness  and  ttrenglh  which  caused  the 
boat  to  dart  forward  towards  the  savage  roller. 

She  met  the  billow  ;  her  bow  rose  upon  it ;  she  passed 
over  without  being  ingulfed  by  it. 

"  Oars  !  Hold  water  !  Stern,  all !  "  continued  -the 
young  officer ;  and  again  the  whale-boat  moved  towards 
the  shore. 

The  manoeuvre  described  was  repeated  several  times, 
Until  the  boat  had  passed  through  the  surf,  and  struck 
heavily  on  the  sandy  beach.  The  men  in  the  bow 
were  then  ordered  to  jump  into  the  water  ;  and  as  the 
forward  part  was  thus  lightened,  the  successive  rollers 
bore  the  boat  farther  and  farther  upon  the  beach,  until 
the  whole  crew  were  landed.  The  first  step  of  the  expe- 
dition had  been  safely  accomplished. 

Somers  ordered  the  men  to  haul  up  the  boat  high  and 
dry  upon  the  beach.  There  was  not  a  person  to  be  seen, 
or  a  sound  to  be  heard,  which  indicated  the  presence  of 
an  enemy.  The  young  officer  had  now  to  prove  the  cor- 
rectness of  his  calculations,  for  as  yet  he  knew  not  upon 
what  portion  of  the  point  he  had  landed.  A  careful  sur- 
vey of  the  ground  was  therefore  immediately  to  be  made. 
It  was  necessary  to  have  assistance  in  this  ;  and  Somers 
selected  two  first-class  firemen,  very  intelligent  men,  ma- 
chinists and  engineers,  who  were  in  training  for  situa- 
tions in  government  ships.     They  had  been  brought  t« 


216  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

work  the  engine  of  the  Beu  Lomond,  if,  fortunately,  she 
were  captured. 

Tom  Longstone  Avas  left  in  charge  of  the  boat  and 
crew,  and  the  two  firemen  followed  the  commander  of 
the  expedition,  who  moved  towards  the  north.  When  he 
had  proceeded  a  short  distance,  he  explained  to  his  com- 
panions his  object. 

"  About  an  eighth  of  a  mile  from  the  beach,"  said  he, 
*'  there  is  a  creek,  which  widens  into  a  little  bay.  I 
wish  to  find  this  creek  ;  it  will  lead  us  into  Mobile  Bay. 
Conaut,  you  will  go  east,  and,  Wade,  you  will  go  Avest. 
You  must  be  very  careful,  or  you  Avill  lose  your  way. 
You  will  not  go  more  than  half  a  mile,  as  nearly  as  you 
can  judge,  in  either  direction.  If  you  find  it,  return  to 
the  beach,  and  take  notice  of  the  best  way  to  reach  it." 

The  firemen  parted,  and  Somers  moved  forward  him- 
self. He  did  not  find  the  creek  in  the  direction  he  had 
chosen,  and  returned  to  the  beach,  after  a  search  of  about 
an  hour.  Vv'ade  Avas  there  before  him  ;  but  Conant  had 
not  yet  made  his  appearance,  though  he  did  not  long 
delay  the  expedition. 

"  I  have  found  it,  sir,"  said  Conaut,  Avheu  he  returned. 
"  It  lies  in  this  direction  :  "  he  pointed  to  the  north-east. 
"  It  isn't  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant ;  but  I  had  some  dif- 
ficulty in  finding  a  good  path." 

"  Did  you  see  anybody,  or  anything?  " 

"  Nothing,  sir." 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  217 

The  T\hale-boat  was  then  turned  over ;  each  man  took 
off  his  pea-jacket,  rolled  it  up,  and  put  it  on  his  shoulder. 
The  boat  was  then  lifted  up,  and  placed  on  the  shoulders 
of  the  sailors,  the  garment  acting  as  a  cushion  to  support 
the  weight,  without  injury  to  the  bearers.  After  a  great 
many  trials  and  difficulties  incident  to  the  darkness  of- 
the  night  and  the  character  of  the  ground,  the  creek  was 
reached,  and  the  whale-boat  launched.  Unfortunately, 
the  water  was  very  shallow,  and  even  the  light  draught 
of  the  boat  was  too  great  for  rapid  progress,  though  by 
vai'ious  expedients  this  obstacle  was  overcome,  and  the 
expedition  reached  the  mouth  of  the  creek  at  about  half 
past  twelve  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

Somers  was  entirely  dependent  upon  his  memory  and 
the  compass  for  sailing  directions  ;  and  the  careful  study 
he  had  made  of  the  navigation  of  the  bay  enabled  him 
to  move  with  considerable  confidence.  The  creek  dis- 
embogued in  a  nearly  landlocked  bay,  whose  compara- 
tively still  waters  were  passed,  and  the  boat  began  to  be 
tossed  by  the  waves  of  the  broad  bay. 

Heading  his  craft  to  the  westward,  he  bade  the  men 
give  way  with  a  will.  Encouraged  by  the  manrer  in 
which  all  obstacles  had  thus  far  been  overcome,  they 
■were  ready  and  willing  subjects.  After  pulling  about 
three  miles,  the  rougher  sea  and  the  depth  of  water 
which  the  bowman  had  continually  reported,  assured 
Somers  that  he  must  have  reached  the  Middle  Ground, 
19 


218  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

where  vessels  bound  out  usually  came  to  anchor  when 
subjected  to  any  delay.  The  Ben  Lomond,  if  she  "was  in 
the  bay,  could  not  be  far  distant ;  but  the  fog  and  dark- 
ness prevented  him  from  seeing  a  ship's  length  aliead. 

"  Can  you  see  anything,  Mr.  Longstone?"  asked  the 
young  commander,  who  felt  that  he  v^^as  now  in  the 
midst  of  the  greatest  obstacles  to  the  success  of  his 
mission. 

"  I  can't  see  anything,"  replied  the  boatswain  ;  "  but 
I  think  I  hear  something.  There,  sir  !  Two  bells  just 
struck  in  a  vessel  dead  ahead." 

"  I  see  her,"  said  the  bowman.  "  It's  a  rebel  iron- 
clad !  " 

"  She's  an  ugly  customer.  I  don't  want  anything  of 
her,"  said  Somers,  as  he  ordered  the  boat  to  go  about, 
and  headed  her  to  the  north-east. 

"  Boat  ahead,  sir  !  "  reported  the  bowman. 

"  Speak  out,  man  !  "  said  the  commander.  "  I  am 
not  afraid  of  being  seen  now.     Where  away  is  she  ?  " 

"  On  the  port  quarter,  sir." 

"  Starboard,  coxswain,"  continued  Somers. 

In  a  few  moments  the  dark  outline  of  the  boat  was 
seen  in  the  water,  and  the  coxswain  was  directed  to 
steer  towards  her.  Somers  was  fully  committed  now, 
and  intended  to  carry  himself  through  by  impudence  and 
audacity.  He  was  in  the  midst  of  the  rebel  fleet  to  be 
used  for  the  defence   of   the  bay.     He   knew  that  the 


LIFE  ON  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  219 

waters  around  him  were  patrolled  by  picket  boats,  and 
he  doubted  not  the  craft  before  him  was  one  of  them. 
He  could  not  find  the  Ben  Lomond  readily,  and  probably 
the  otficer  of  this  boat  would  know  her  position. 

"  Boat  alloy  !  "  he  shouted. 

"  In  the  boat !  "  was  the  reply.  -. 

"  Oars  !      Hold  water  !  " 

"■What  boat  is  that?"  demanded  the  officer  of  the 
rebel  party. 

*"  My  boat,"  replied  Somers,  rather  irregularly. 

"  Who  are  you  ?  " 

"  John  Pillgrim,  commander  in  the  Confederate  navy, 
appointed  to  the  steamer  Tallapoosa." 

"  Ah,"  responded  the  officer.  "  You  Avere  expected 
before." 

"  Couldn't  come  before,"  replied  Somers,  with  perfect 
assurance.  "  Where  is  the  Tallapoosa?  I  have  been 
beating  about  here  in  the  fog  these  two  hours,  trying  to 
find  her." 

'^  She  lies  about  half  a  mile  to  the  northward  and  east- 
ward." 

"  Thank  you  ;  I  shall  find  her.  Please  report  me  to 
Admiral  Buchanan,  and  say  I  shall  run  out  immedi- 
ately." 

"  It's  a  good  night  for  it.  I  beg  your  pardon,  Captain 
Pillgrim  ;  have  you  a  pass  ?  " 


220  BRAVE  OLD  SALT,   OR 

"  A  what?  "  demanded  Somei's,  as  if  astonished  at  the 
request. 

"  A  pass." 

"  No  ;  -where  should  I  get  a  pass,  or  what  should  I 
want  one  for  ?  " 

"  Excuse  me,  but  my  orders  are  very  strict.  I  cannot 
let  a  boat  or  vessel  pass  me  without  the  proper  papers." 

"  What  papers  do  you  want?" 

"  Simply  a  pass." 

"  1  have  no  pass." 

"  I  shall  be  obliged  to  detain  you,  then." 

"  No,  you  won't !  "  answered  Somers,  indignantly. 
"  Here  it  is  one  o'clock  in  the  morning.  I  ought  to  have 
been  over  the  bar  by  this  time."    • 

"  I  can't  help  it.  Captain  Pillgrim  ;  my  orders  are  im- 
perative," pleaded  the  picket  officer. 

"  Well,  if  you  can't  help  it,  I  can.  I  may  not  have 
such  another  night  as  this  for  a  month." 

"  I  shall  not  detain  you  half  an  hour.  The  Tallapoosa 
has  steam  up,  and  is  only  waiting  for  her  commander  and 
the  balance  of  her  crew." 

"  How  many  men  has  she  on  board  ?  "  asked  Somers, 
somewhat  startled. 

"  About  forty,  besides  the  firemen." 

"  1  have  the  balance.     It  is  all  right." 

"  Pardon  me,  if  I  persist.     I  must  see  your  papers." 


LIFE    Oy    THE    QUAIiTEli    DECK.  221 

"  I  have  no  pass  ;  but  I  Avill  show  you  my  commission 
and  my  orders  from  tlie  secretary  of  the  navy." 

"•  Those  will  answer." 

The   boat  Avas  laid  alongside,   and   by  the   light  of  a 
lantern  the  ofHcer  glanced  at  Somers's  commission  and 
orders.     He  pronounced  them  all  right,  and  the  expedi- 
Uon  was  permitted  to  proceed. 
19* 


222  BRAVE    OLD    HALT,    OR 


CHAPTER    XXI. 


THE    BEN    LOMOND. 


/^^HAT'S  a  bold  step,  Mr.  Somers,"  said  Tom 
#'■  Longstone,  as  the  whale-boat  dashed  on  towards 
^^_[y    the  intended  prize. 

"  If  it  were  less  bold,  it  would  be  more  dangerous," 
replied  Somers,  easily ;  for  he  entered  so  fully  into  the 
spirit  of  the  affair,  that  he  felt  quite  at  home,  and  was 
hardly  disturbed  by  a  doubt  of  final  success. 

"  Where  is  Mr.  Pillgrim  now?"  asked  the  boatswain, 

"  I  haven't  the  least  idea ;  but  I  think  he  cannot  be 
far  off." 

"  You  left  hiin  at  Fortress  Monroe?  " 

"  Yes  ;  he  had  started  for  the  South  then,  to  take  com- 
mand, I  suppose,  of  this  vessel.  Tlie  traitor's  plan  was  to 
come  down  on  the  Chatauqua,  and  then  bring  out  this 
vessel  perhaps,  on  the  pretence  of  capturing  her.  At  any 
rate,  he  was  going  to  use  his  ofhcial  position  in  the  navy 
to  help  him  get  the  Tallapoosa  out  of  the  bay,  and  past 
the  blockading  squadron.  If  not,  he  would  not  have  gone 
in  her,  and  thus  w^asted  so  much  of  his  valuable  time.  I 
wish  I  knew  where  he  is  now." 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  223 

"•  Perhaps  it  don't  make  much  difference." 

"  I  am  afraid  it  will  make  considerable  difference, 
Suppose  the  traitor  has  been  on  board  the  Beu  Lot 
moud?  " 

"The  what?" 

"  The  Tallapoosa ;  tliey  have  changed  her  ndrnft. 
Keep  a  sharp  lookout  forward  for  the  ship,  bowman." 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir  !     I  can't  see  a  thing  yet." 

"  Suppose  he  has  been  on  board,  Mr.  Somers?  "  cod- 
tinued  the  boatswain. 

"  If  he  has,  we  may  have  to  fight  for  the  vessel." 

"  Well,  we  can  do  that,"  replied  Tom,  as  he  involun- 
tarily grasped  his  cutlass. 

"  He  has  forty  men  aboard  of  her  now,  besides  the 
firemen  and  coal-heavers," 

"  Our  boys  wouldn't  mind  forty  of  them." 

"  I  should  not  hesitate  to  attack  her,  but  the  noise 
would  wake  up  the  rebel  iron  clads  and  gunboats.  We 
must  get  the  vessel  without  fighting.  I  don't  believe  Pill- 
grim  has  been  on  board  of  her.  If  he  had,  that  picket 
officer  would  have  known  that  I  am  not  the  man.  I'm 
not  going  to  croak  about  the  business,  though.  In  my 
opinion  it  will  be  all  right." 

"  Of  course  the  Tallapoosa  is  in  charge  of  some  one." 

"  All  her  oificers  are  on  board,  except  the  commander, 
we  were  told." 

"  Some  of  them  may  know  Mr.  Pillgrim,"  suggested 


224  BliAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

the  boatswain,  "»v'ho  had  more  fears  for  his  young  corn, 
mander  than  the  latter  had  for  himself. 

"  Mr.  Pillgrim  has  been  in  the  North,  and  in  England 
since  the  war  began.  I  aw  of  the  opinion  that  those  on 
board  do  not  know  him.'' 

"  Suppose  they  do  ? '" 

"  I  shall  put  them  under  arrest  if  they  refuse  to  obey 
my  orders." 

"  You  are  smart,  Mr.  Somers,"  said  Tom,  who 
chuckled  over  the  adroitness  of  his  protegSy  even  while 
he  trembled  for  his  surety  and  success. 

'•  Steamer  ahead^  sir  !  "  reported  the  bowman. 

"  Where  does  .^he  lie?  " 

*'  On  the  starboard  bow,  sir  !  " 

"  Port  a  little,"  said  Somers.  "  Now,  my  men,  you 
will  obey  orders  and  keep  silent.  Answer  no  questions 
which  may  be  pi»t  to  you." 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir,"  responded  the  crew,  cheerfully ;  for 
though  they  seemed  to  be  knocking  at  the  door  of  a 
rebel  prison,  they  had  full  confidence  in  their  gallant 
young  leader. 

Perhaps  some  of  them  "•had  their  doubts,"  for  four 
and  twenty  men  are  hardly  ever  gathered  together, 
among  whom  there  are  not  more  or  less  wjjo  are  dis- 
eased to  grumble,  and  croak,  and  imagine  possible  disas- 
ters. Within  the  rebel  lines,  surrounded  by  Confederate 
vessels,  and  on  the  point  of  confronting  superior  numbers, 


LIFE    ON^    THE    QUAUTEIi    DECK.  225 

it  would  not  have  been  surprising  if  these  men  had  been 
rather  uncertain  of  the  future.  Whatever  doubts  or 
fears  they  had,  they  believed  in  Somers. 

"  My  lads,"  continued  the  commander  of  the  expe- 
dition, in  a  low  tone,  "  you  are  rebel  sailors  for  an  hour 
or  so.  You  will  talk  and  act  as  such.  Do  you  uader- 
stand  me  ?  " 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir." 

"  You  will  call  me  Captain  Pillgrim." 

The  men  had  listened  to  the  conversation  between  their 
officer  and  the  pickets,  and  they  comprehended  enough 
of  the  plan  to  enable  them  to  act  intelligently. 

"  Tom,"  said  Somers,  "  there  is  nothing  to  prevent  me 
from  acting  just  as  Mr.  Pillgrim  would  do,  if  he  were 
in   my  place," 

"  That's  so." 

"  I  could  go  to  sea  in  this  steamer,  and  plunder  all  the 
vessels  I  could  overhaul." 

"  So  you  could,"  replied  the  boatswain,  who  seemed 
to  be  amazed  even  at  such  a  suggestion. 

"  I'm  not  sure  that  I  am  not  carrying  out  the  very 
plan  which  the  traitor  had  in  his  mind.  Perhaps  he 
intended  to  do  just  what  I  have  done,  when  he  reached 
the  blockading  station." 

"Very  likely." 

"■  Then  I  shall  be  Mr.  Pillgrim,  and  carry  out  his  pur- 
pose to  the  letter ;  only,  when  we  get  out  of  the  bay  I 
shall  do  rather  ditferently  from  what  he  intended." 


226  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  Boat  ahoy  !  "  shouted  a  man  at  the  gangway  of  the 
Bua  Lomond. 

"  On  board  tlie  Tallapoosa  !  "  replied  Somers. 

"  Keep  off,"  said  the  man,  who  seemed  to  be  the  ofR" 
cer  of  the  deck.     "Who  are  you?" 

"  Commander  John  Pillgrim,  Confederate  States  navy, 
and  captain  of  this  ship." 

"  Man  the  side,  you  lubbers  !  "  added  the  boatswain, 
rather  improving  on  the  suggestion  of  Somers,  given  him 
at  this  moment. 

"  Captain  Pillgrim?  "  said  the  officer  of  the  deck. 

"  I  said  so.     Is  the  ship  ready  to  sail?  " 

"  She  is,  sir  ;  we  have  kept  steam  up  all  day,  waiting 
for  you." 

"  Good  !  You  are  the  right  officers  for  me.  I  com- 
mend you,"  replied  Somers,  as  he  mounted  the  accom- 
modation ladder. 

The  pretended  commander  went  up  the  side,  closely 
followed  by  LongRtone  and  a  dozen  of  the  sailors,  and 
stepped  down  upon  the  deck. 

"  I  have  not  the  pleasure  of  your  acquaintance,  I  be- 
lieve," added  Somers,  confronting  the  officer. 

"  Mr.  Swayne,  second  lieutenant,  sir,"  replied  the  offi- 
cer.    "  Mr.  Langdon  is  below,  sir.     I  will  send  for  him." 

Langdon !  It  was  all  up  with  Somers !  Langdon 
knew  him,  had  dined  with  him,  had  been  intimate  with 
him,  and  of  course  it  would  be  useless  to  att^empi  to  pass 
himself  off  as  Mr.  Pillm-im. 


LIFE  ON  TEE  QUARTER  DECK.  227 

"  Stop,  sir ! "  said  Somers,  sternly,  and  with  great 
presence  of  mind.  "  When  did  Mr.  Langdon  come  on 
board?" 

"  Nearly  a  week  ago,  sir,  when  the  rest  of  us  did." 

"  Indeed  !  "  added  Somers,  savagely.  "  Mr.  Langdon 
and  myself  have  a  little  account  to  settle.  He  has  dis- 
obeyed my  orders,  and  I  never  Avill  go  to  sea  with  such  a 
man  as  executive  officer.  Mr.  Swayne,  for  the  present 
you  will  act  as  first  lieutenant.  I  shall  put  Mr.  Lang- 
don under  arrest  at  once." 

"  Here  he  comes,  sir." 

"  Mr.  Longstone,  you  will  arrest  the  first  lieutenant  at 
once ;  put  him  in  irons  if  he  resists,"  said  Somers,  as  he 
saw  Langdon  come  up  the  companion-way. 

The  stalwart  boatswain  confronted  the  astonished  offi-. 
cer,  as  he  approached  tlie  spot  where  Somers  stood  with 
the  second  lieutenant. 

"  By  order  of  Captain  Pillgrim,  you  are  placed  under 
arrest,"  said  Tom,  as,  with  a  couple  of  seamen,  he  placed 
i>im*'elf  in  front  of  the  executive  officer. 

''  Under  arrest?" 

"  Yes,  sir. 

"What  for:  " 

"  For  disobedience  of  orders." 

"By  whose  command?"  demanded  the  bewildered 
Langdon. 

"  Captain  Pillgrim's,  sir?  " 

"  Impossible  ! " 


228  BBAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  sir,  but  the  captain  told  me  to 
lose  no  time.     lie  is  going  to  sea  at  once." 

"  Is  Captain  PiUgrim  on  board  ?  " 

"  Of  course  he  is.  I  just  came  off  with  him.  He 
ordered  me  to  arrest  you." 

"  Who  are  you,  sir?" 

"  Blarney,  sir  !  "  exclaimed  the  boatswain,  impatiently  ; 
"  I  can't  stop  —  " 

"  Mr.  Blarney,  Avill  you  do  me  the  favor  to  ask  Cap- 
tain Pillgrim  for  a  moment's  conversation  with  me. 
There  must  be  some  mistake,  Mr.  Blarney." 

"  Can't  stop,  sir,"  answered  Tom,  who  could  not  even 
pause  long  enough  to  laugh  at  the  rebel's  blunder.  "  My 
orders  are  to  put  you  in  irons  if  you  resist.  What  do 
you  say,  Mr.  Langdon  ?  " 

"  Of  course  I  do  not  resist ;  but  there  is  some 
mistake." 

"  No  mistake,  upon  my  honor.  You  may  take  my 
Word  for  it,  the  business  is  all  straight." 

"  With  what  am  I  charged?  " 

"  With  disobedience  of  orders ;  and,  Mr.  Langdon, 
you'll  excuse  me,  but  there's  a  suspicion  that  you  mean 
to  go  over  to  the  Yankees." 

"  I !     To  the  Yankees  !  " 

"  Beg  pardon,  sir ;  but  I  can't  stop  to  blarney  any 
longer.  My  duty  is  plaiu  ;  and  I'll  bet  a  mouth's  pay 
you  will  see  the  captain  sooner  than  you  want  to.  Down 
below  if  you  please,  sir,  to  your  state-room." 


LIFE  ON   THE   QUARTER   DECK.  229 

LangdoQ  obeyed  ia  dogged  silence.  No  doubt  he 
much  wondered  who  the  rough  fellow  was  that  subjected 
him  to  (his  summary  treatment.  But  the  salutary  hint 
about  irons  seemed  to  satisfy  him,  and  when  he  had  gone 
into  his  room,  the  door  was  closed,  and  a  seaman  placed 
before  it.  Longstone  returned  to  the  deck,  touched  hi3 
cap  politely  to  Somers,  and  reported  his  orders  executed. 

"  Mr.  Svvayne,  you  will  call  all  hands,"  said  the  new 
commander  of  the  Tallapoosa,  when  his  dangerous  first 
lieutenant  had  been  secured. 

The  boatswain  of  the  steamer  piped  all  hands,  among 
whom  the  seamen  from  the  Chatauqua  mingled,  and 
made  themselves  entirely  at  home. 

**  Mr.  Swayne,  will  you  do  me  the  favor  to  read  my 
commission  to  the  crew,"  said  Somers,  handing  him  the 
document  which  he  had  carefully  "  tinkered  "  to  suit  tha 
present  occasion. 

Tom  Longstone  held  the  lantern,  and  the  acting  first 
lieutenant  promptly  complied  with  the  request  of  the 
assumed  commander.  The  document  proclaimed  that 
John  Pillgrim  was  duly  invested  with  authority  as  a  com- 
mander in  the  Confederate  navy,  and  was  duly  signetl 
by  ^'  S.  R.  Mallory,"  though  whether  that  distinguished 
rebel  functionary  had  actually  issued  the  paper  or  not, 
Somers  was  himself  as  ignorant  as  the  others  who  listened 
to  the  reading. 

From  his  orders  Somers  then  read  enough  to  satisfy 
20 


2S0.  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

any  who  might  be  in  doubt  of  his  appointment  to  the 
Talhipoosa,  which  name  he  had  subi^lituted  lor  that  of 
Ben  Nevis,  as  it  read  on  the  original  document,  given 
liim  by  Lungdon,  alias  Lieutenant  Wynkoop. 

"Are  you  satisfied,  Mr.  Swayne?"  asked  the  com- 
mander, when  he  had  finished  the  document. 

"■  Entirely  so.  Captain  Pillgrim,"  replied  the  first 
lieutenant. 

If  he  had  not  been  satisfied,  probably  he  would  have 
been  put  under  arrest  as  summarily  as  his  superior  had 
been  a  few  moments  before.  With  such  an  energetic 
captain,  it  was  lucky  for  him  he  was  satisfied  !  Perhaps 
Mr.  Swayne  was  duly  and  properly  impressed  by  the 
decided  character  of  his  commander,  and  deemed  it  pru- 
dent to  raise  no  objections. 

"Are  you  satisfied,  gentlemen?"  asked  Somers,  turn- 
ing to  the  little  group  of  officers. 

Fortunately  for  them,  and  perhaps  for  Somers  too, 
they  were  also  satisfied. 

"  My  lads,"  continued  the  courteous  but  decisive  cap- 
tain, "you  have  listened  to  my  commission,  and  you 
have  listened  to  my  orders." 

Somers  paused,  and  the  two  first-class  firemen  from 
the  Chatauqua  started  a  demonstration  of  applause 
which  was  a  complete  su(  cess. 

"  My  lads,  I  am  going  out  to  take  a  look  at  the  Yankee 
fleet,  to-night,"  he  proceeded. 

Applause. 


LIFE   ON  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  231. 

"  I  am  a  fighting  man." 

More  applause. 

"  That  Yankee  fleet  will  not  stop  me  !  "  added  Somers, 
with  enthusiasm. 

"  That's  so  !  "  shouted  one  of  the  first-class  firemen, 
who  had  a  high  appreciation  of  a  good  ioke  ;  and,  his 
remark  was  followed  by  a  storm  of  applause. 

"  I  repeat,  my  lads,  the  Yankee  fleet  will  not  stop  me. 
I  shall  pay  my  respects  to  the  Yankee  admiral  down 
there  before  the  sun  rises." 

Tumultuous  applause. 

"  Now,  my  lads,  I  mean  just  what  I  say,  and  I  say 
just  what  I  mean.  I  command  this  ship,  and  every  man 
on  board  obeys  me.  I  am  going  through  the  Yankee 
fleet ;  will  you  go  with  me  ?  " 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir  !  "  roared  the  crew  ;  and  the  voices  of  the 
Chatauqua's  people  were  prominent  in  the  reply. 

"  Will  you  go  where  I  lead  you  ?  " 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir." 

"  Very  likely  I  shall  send  you  upon  the  deck  of  the 
heaviest  man-of-war  in  the  Yankee  squadron  ;  but  I  will 
go  with  you." 

"Bully  for  the  captain!"  shouted  the  enthusiastic 
first-class  fireman,  which  remark  was  indorsed  and  ap- 
proved by  the  crew  in  general. 

"  What  an  awful  fellow  he  is  !  — a  regular  fire-eater," 
whispered  Mr.  Swayne  to  Tom  Longstoue. 


232  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  He  will  do  all  he  says  he  will,"  replied  the  boat- 
swain. 

"  Will  he  board  a  Yankee  frigate?  " 

"  It's  like  him  ;  but  he  is  as  prudent  as  he  is  brave." 

"  Now,  my  lads,  to  your  duty.  We  shall  get  under 
way  at  once,  and  I  want  every  man  to  be  true  to  God 
and  his  country,"  continued  Somers. 

"  Three  cheers  for  the  captain  !  "  shouted  the  fireman  ; 
and  they  were  given  with  a  will,  as  Somers  walked  aft. 


LIFE    ON    THE   QUARTER   DECK. 


233 


CHAPTER    XXII. 


RUNNING   THE    BLOCKAiJE. 


K.  SWAYNE,  you  Avill  get  the  ship  under 
Avay  at  once,"  said  Somerw,  as  Le  turned 
from  the  crew,  and  walked  aft. 

The  first  lieutenant  gave  his  orders,  and 
the  crew  were  soon  walking  round  the  capstan.  The 
officers  of  the  Tallapoosa  had  certainly  used  their  time 
to  advantage,  for  the  crew  was  Avell  disciplined,  though 
the  twenty-four  petty  officers  and  seamen  from  the  Cha- 
tauqua  were  the  spice  of  every  movement. 

"  Where  is  the  pilot,  Mr.  Swayne?"  asked  Somers. 
"  We  have  one  on  board,  sir.     He  berths  in  the  steer- 
age.    Shall  I  send  for  him.  Captain  Pillgrim?" 
"  If  you  please,  do  so." 

A  master's  mate  was  ordered  to  find  the  pilot. 
"Is    he   up  to   his   business?"  continued   Somers,  t«) 
whom  the  pilotage  of  the  vessel  was  of  the  last  impor- 
tance. 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  he  is  the  best  pilot  in  these  waters.     He  hag 
taken  out  a  great  many  vessels  on  worse  nights  than  this." 


234  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  1  could  take  the  vessel  out  myself,  so  far  as  that  is 
concerued,"  said  Somers,  nervously.  "  Does  he  know 
how  to  get  through  the  obstructions?" 

"  O,  yes,  sir ;  he  is  perfectly  familiar  with  everything 
about  the  bay." 

"  And  the  channel  is  full  of  those  infernal  torpedoes.'' 

''  It  is,  sir  ;  but  the  pilot  knows  exactly  where  every 
one  of  them  is  located.  We  are  in  no  danger  from 
them  ;  but  they  will  blow  the  Yankee  fleet  sky  high  when 
they  attempt  to  come  up,  as  they  probably  will  in  a  short 
time." 

"  So  I  understand." 

"  There  will  be  fun  here  in  a  few  days,"  added  Mr. 
Swayne,  rubbing  his  hands  with  delight,  as  he  contem- 
plated the  destruction  of  the  naval  force  gathered  on  the 
other  side  of  the  bar  for  the  demonstration. 

"  The  admiral  down  there  is  no  joker,"  suggested 
Somers.     "He  won't  feel  his  way,  and  then  back  out.'' 

"  It  would  be  better  for  him  if  he  did.  Admiral  Bu- 
chanan is  his  equal  in  every  respect.  With  his  ram  he 
will  stave  in  every  wooden  ship  in  the  fleet.  His  moni- 
tors will  be  blown  up  on  the  torpedoes." 

"•  I  hope  the  affair  will  come  out  right,"  said  Somers, 
rather  indefinitely. 

"  It  will ;  you  may  depend  upon  it,  captain.  Whoever 
is  here  when  the  thing  is  done  will  see  the  greatest 
smash-up  that  has  happened  since  the  war  began." 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  235 

"  I  liope  so,"  replied  Somers.  "  But  supposo  Admiral 
Farragut  should  run  by  the  forts." 

"  He  can't  do  it ;  the  thing  is  utterly  impossible.  The 
torpedoes  will  sink  his  monitors  —  they  are  like  lead, 
and  if  you  shake  them  up  a  little,  they  will  plump  down 
on  the  bottom  like  a  solid  shot.  His  wooden  vessels, 
even  if  he  gets  by  the  fort, — which  can't  be  done, — 
would  be  all  chawed  up  in  half  an  hour  by  the  ram 
Tennessee." 

"  Anchor  apeak,  sir  !  "  shouted  Boatswain  Longstone, 
who  was  doing  duty  as  second  lieutenant. 

"  Captain  Column,  the  pilot,  sir,"  said  the  first  lieu- 
tenant, presenting  a  person  who  had  been  waiting  a 
moment  at  his  side. 

"  I  am  happy  to  see  you.  Captain  Column  ; "  and 
Somers  took  his  hand. 

"  Thank  you,  sir,"  replied  the  pilot,  who  was  evidently 
astonished  at  the  degree  of  intimacy  with  which  the 
commander  condescended  to  treat  him. 

Already  the  new  captain  had  won  a  hard  reputation 
abaft  the  mainmast.  His  stern  and  decisive  measures 
with  Langdon  had  been  privately  discussed  among  the 
officers,  and  it  Avas  the  unanimous  opinion  that  they  had 
"  caught  a  Tartar." 

"  Well,  Captain  Column,  have  you  got  your  weather 
eye  open?      This  is  a  dark  and  foggy  night." 

"  Wide   open,   sir,"   replied  the  pilot,   cheerfully ;  for 


236  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

Somers's  cordial  greeting  had  already  produced  a  good 
effect  upon  him.  "  The  darker  and  foggier  the  better, 
captain,  for  such  a  job  as  this.  But  there  are  so  many 
Yankee  ships  outside,  you  can  hardly  get  clear  of  them 
without  a  shot  or  two." 

"  O,  I  don't  mind  that,  if  you  can  get  us  well  over 
the  torpedoes,  and  through  the  obstructions." 

"The  obstructions  are  not  of  much  account,  and  as 
for  the  torpedoes,  I  could  put  my  hand  on  every  one  of 
them  with  my  eyes  shut." 

"  Good  ;  but  I  don't  want  you  to  put  your  hand  or  my 
ship  on  them." 

"  Certainly  not,  captain,"  laughed  the  pilot.  "  I  know 
how  to  keep  clear  of  them." 

"  That  will  suit  me  better.  The  ship  is  in  your  hands, 
Captain  Column." 

A  quartermaster  from  the  Chatauqua  was  placed  at 
the  wheel,  and  when  the  anchor  was  heaved  up,  the  Tal- 
lapoosa started  on  her  course.  Her  wheels  began  to  turn 
very  slowly  at  first,  and  before  she  had  gathered  any 
headway,  a  boat  touched  at  her  side. 

"  Boat  alongside,  Captain  Pillgrim,"  reported  Mr. 
Swayne. 

"What  boat?" 

"  I  don't  know,  sir." 

"  I  have  no  more  time  to  waste ;  keep  the  ship 
tnovina:." 


LIFE    OX    THE    QUARTER   DECK.  237 

As  the  Tallapoosa  gathered  headway,  a  geuilema.n, 
clothed  in  naval  uuiiorm,  stepped  on  the  rail  from  the 
accommodation  ladder.  When  he  had  reached  this 
point,  he  stopped  and  looked  down  at  the  boat. 

"  Stop  the  steamer  !  "  shouted  he,  in  tones  of  author- 
ity ;  and  to  those  who  had  heard  it  before  there  waa  no 
mistaking  that  voice. 

It  was  Pillgrim,  without  a  doubt !  Somers  was  vexed 
and  disappointed  at  this  accident,  Avhich  threatened  to 
overthrow  all  his  plans  ;  but  he  promptly  decided  to  treat 
him  as  he  had  Laiigdon. 

"  See  what  he  wants,"  said  the  commander  to  Swayne, 
"  but  don't  let  the  ship  be  delayed  a  single  instant." 

"  Stop  the  steamer  !  "  shouted  Pillgrim,  with  a  volley 
of  oaths,  because  his  first  order  had  not  been  heeded. 
"  Stop  the  steamer,  or  you  will  swamp  my  gig  !  " 

"  Your  business,  sir,  if  you  please,"  said  Swayne, 
stepping  up  to  him. 

"  Don't  you  hear  Avhat  I  say?"  replied  Pillgrim,  angri 
ly.     "  Stop  the  steamer." 

"  It  can't  be  done,  sir." 

"  Can't  be  done  !  "  gasped  the  traitor.  "  It  can  and 
ehall  be  done." 

"  Who  are  you,  sir,  that  step  upon  this  deck  in  ih-f 
overbearing  manner  ? "  demanded  the  first  lieutenaat;- 
roused  by  the  tones  and  the  manner  of  the  new  comer 

"  I'll  let  you  know  who  I  am.     Where  is  Langdon  ?  " 


238  BliAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  asone  of  your  business  where  he  is,"  said  Swayne, 
epunklly.     "  Whut  do  you  want  here  !  " 

"  You  shall  soon  know  what  I  want  here?  " 

Pillgriin  was  boiling  over  with  passion  at  the  rough 
reception  given  him  by  his  officers  on  board  his  own  ship. 
He  was  disposed  to  be  even  more  stern  and  severe  in  his 
discipline  than  Somers  had  been. 

"  Who  are  you?''  demanded  Swayne. 

"  None  of  your  business  who  I  am,  if  you  don't  know  ; 
but  I  will  soon  bring  you  to  your  senses,"  roared  Pill- 
grim,  as  he  leaped  down  upon  the  deck,  and  with  the 
step  of  a  conqueror  moved  aft  towards  the  wheel. 

"  Halt,  sir ! "  said  Mr.  Swayne,  placing  himself  in 
front  of  the  stranger ;  for  he  was  roused  to  a  high  pitch 
of  anger  and  excitement  by  the  unwarrantable  conduct 
of  the  interloper.  "  You  can  go  no  farther  on  this  deck, 
sir,  till  you  explain  who  and  what  you  are." 

Somers  stood  where  he  could  see  Avithout  being  seen ; 
for  his  presence  on  the  deck  of  the  Ben  Lomond  would 
have  explained  to  Pillgrim  the  reason  for  his  uncourteous 
reception.  He  quietly  sent  the  two  firemen  and  a  couple 
of  seamen  to  the  assistance  of  Mr.  Swayne. 

"  I  am  the  captain  of  this  ship,"  replied  Pillgrim,  who 
found  it  necessary  to  make  this  statement, 

"■  The  man  is  crazy,"  muttered  Swayne. 

"  You  understand  me  now,"  growled  Pillgrim.  "  Stop 
tlie  ship  !  " 


LIFE    02^    THE    QUARTER   DECK.  239 

"  I  think  not,  sir,"  replied  Swayne,  coolly ;  and  he 
evidently  regarded  the  claim  of  the  stranger  in  the  light 
of  a  joke,  or  as  the  whim  of  a  maniac. 

"  You  think  not !  "  gasped  Pillgrim,  roused  almost  to 
madness  by  this  cool  disregard  of  his  authority.  "  I'U 
have  you  in  irons  in  three  minutes,  you  scoundrel."  ' 

"  There,  sir,  I  have  heard  enough  of  this ! "  said 
Swayne.  "  No  man  uses  such  language  as  that  tj  me 
with  impunity." 

"  I  tell  you  I  am  the  commander  of  this  steamer," 
added  Pillgrim,  who  doubtless  felt  that  the  epithet  he  had 
used  was  unbecoming  an  officer  and  a  gentleman. 

"  I  don't  care  what  you  are.  If  your  boat  is  aludgside, 
you  will  go  into  it,  in  double  quick  time." 

Pillgrim  began  to  storm  again,  shouted  to  the  j)ilot  to 
stop  the  steamer,  and  behaved  in  the  most  violent  man> 
ner.  Mr.  Swayne's  patience  was  totally  exhausteil,  and 
he  ordered  Ihe  seamen  who  stood  near  him  to  arrest  the 
interloper.  A  sharp  struggle  ensued,  in  which  Pillgriui 
was  overpowered,  and  was  held  fast  by  the  stout  tars  of 
the  Chatauqna. 

The  first  lieutenant  then  explained  to  the  captain  what 
had  passed,  and  what  he  had  done. 

"  Put  him  in  irons  !  "  said  Somers,  decidedly. 

"  Who  is  he,  captain  ?  " 

"  It  matters  not  who  he  is.  No  man  can  behave  in 
that  manner  ou  board  of  this  ship." 


240  BRAVE  OLD  SALT,   OR 

Swayne  executed  his  orders  to  the  letter,  and  the  trai- 
tor, in  spite  of  his  struggles,  in  spite  of  his  explanations 
and  appeals,  was  put  in  irons  on  the  quarter  deck  of  liis 
own  ship.  He  Avas  carried  below,  and  put  in  a  state- 
room, which  was  guarded  by  Conant,  who  had  orders  to 
shoot  him  if  he  did  not  keep  quiet. 

la  the  mean  time,  the  Ben  Lomond,  —  for  Somers,  in 
strict  accordance  with  the  subsequent  '■'ruling"  of  Mr. 
Seward,  refused  to  recognize  the  vessel  by  any  other 
than  her  original  name,  culling  her  the  Tallapoosa  only 
in  the  presence  of  the  rebels,  —  the  Ben  Lomond,  under 
the  skilful  guidance  of  the  pilot,  was  slowly  making  her 
way  out  of  the  bay.  A  qrartermaster  had  been  sta- 
tioned in  the  fore-chains  when  the  steamer  got  under 
way,  to  take  the  soundings,  which  seemed  to  be  the 
pilot's  principal  reliance  in  the  difficult  duty  he  had 
undertaken.  Captain  Column  had  placed  himself  on  the 
port  rail,  just  abaft  the  foremast,  and  the  steering  direc- 
tions were  sent  aft  through  a  line  of  officers  to  the 
helmsman. 

"  By  the  deep  four,"  sang  the  quartermaster  iu  the 
chains. 

"  Steady  !  "  said  the  pilot.  '•'■  Keep  her  sou'-west  by 
west,  half  west." 

''^Steady  ! "  responded  the  quaitermaster  at  the  wheel. 
"  Sou'-west  by  west,  half  west." 

*'  By  the  mark  five  !  "  said  the  leadsman,  a  little  later. 


LIFE    02^    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  24l 

"  "We  are  getting  into  deep  water,"  said  Somers. 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  we  shall  deepen  till  we  get  seven  fathoms." 

"  And  a  half  five  !  "  came  from  the  chains.  "  By  the 
deep  six." 

The  pilot  went  on  the  bridge,  and  taking  the  cord 
attached  to  the  whistle  of  the  engine,  made  a  signal, 
consisting  of  several  blasts,  with  irregular  intervals  be- 
tween them.  A  heavy  bell  on  shore  sounded  several 
times  in  answer  to  the  signal. 

"  All  right,"  said  the  pilot.  "  I  know  exactly  where 
I  am." 

'■'■  By  the  deep  six  !  "  called  the  leadsman. 

The  pilot  repeated  the  signal  with  the  whistle,  which 
was  answered  from  the  shore  by  the  bell. 

"  Quarter  less  seven  !  " 

''  It  is  all  going  right,  captain,"  said  the  pilot  to  Som- 
ers, who  stood  on  the  bridge  with  him. 

"  By  the  mark  seven  !  " 

"  Hard  a  port ! "  shouted  the  pilot,  as  he  gazed  into 
the  binnacle  on  the  bridge. 

"  Hard  a  port !  "  repeated  the  line  of  officers,  till  the 
order  was  returned  by  the  wheelman. 

"  Steady  !  "  said  tlie  pilot. 

"  Mark  under  water  seven !  "  cried  the  quarterrraster 
in  the  chains. 

"  Keep  her  south  by  we^t,"  added  the  pilot. 

'*  South  by  west  1 "  returned  the  wheelman. 


242  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    Olt 

"  This  course  will  bring  us  into  the  midst  of  the  Yan- 
kee fleet  in  about  twenty  minutes,"  said  Captain  Column. 

"  I'm  not  at  all  afraid  of  the  Yankee  fleet,"  replied 
Somers. 

"  I'm  not  afraid  of  anything  else,"  laughed  the  pilot. 

"  Where  are  the  torpedoes?  " 

"  Betv/een  us  and  Fort  Morgan,  which  is  only  about  a 
third  of  a  mile  distant,  on  our  beam." 

"  And  the  obstructions  ?  " 

"  We  have  passed  them ;  they  are  of  no  account. 
Captain,  I  think  all  your  troubles  are  yet  to  come,"  said 
the  pilot,  as  he  glanced  ahead. 

"Why  so?" 

"  If  we  should  happen  to  plump  into  one  of  those 
monitors,  a  fifteen  inch  shot  would  finish  this  craft  in  less 
time  than  it  would  take  to  read  a  man's  epitaph." 

"  I  have  prepared  for  all  such  accidents.  The  Yan- 
kees will  not  fire  on  me." 

•  No  ?  "  exclaimed  the  pilot,  wonderingly. 

I  think  you  don't  know  me." 
'  1  heard  the  first  lieutenant  say  you  were  coming 
down  here  in  one  of  the  Yankee  ships." 

"  I  did." 
Did  you,  though  ?  " 

"  We  will  come  to  anchor,  pilot,  when  we  get  wuhin 
hail  of  the  Yankee  squadron." 

"  Come  to  anchor,  sir  r '' 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  243 

"  Certainly ;  come  to  anchor,  until  the  fog  clears  off, 
or  we  can  get  a  little  daylight.     I  don't  want  much." 

"  Well,  that  beats  me  !  "  ejaculated  Captain  Column. 

"  I  shall  hoist  the  Yankee  flag  over  the  Confederate  ; 
then  the  Yankees  will  think  this  ship  is  a  prize,  and  will 
not  fire  into  her."  " 

"■  That  beats  me  !  "  repeated  the  pilot. 

"  I  came  down  here  in  a  Yankee  man-of-war,  and  \ 
made  the  arrangements  for  carrying  this  thing  through 
before  I  left  her." 

"  0,  yes,  I  see  !  "  laughed  Captain  Column.  "  Yot) 
are  playing  them  a  Yankee  trick." 

"  Exactly  -so  !  " 

'•  Capital !   capital !  "  exclaimed  the  pilot. 

Fifteen  minutes  later,  the  Ben  Lomond  came  to  anchor 
under  the  lee  of  Sand  Island,  to  wait  for  a  favorabU 
time  to  continue  her  voyage. 


244  BRAVE  OLD  SALT,   OR 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 


A   YANKEE    TKICK. 


fi^'HE  rebel  officers  and  crew  of  the  Ben  Lomond 
were  greatly  astonished  when  the  order  was 
^  given  to  let  go  the  anchor.  They  were  not  in  a 
condition  to  appreciate  the  policy  of  stopping  the  wheels, 
and  waiting  for  daylight  Avithin  hail  of  the  blockading 
squadron,  reenforced  as  it  had  been  for  the  attack  on  the 
forts  ;  but  as  the  captain  had  the  reputation  of  being  a 
perfect  tiger,  a  fire-eater  of  the  most  ravenous  sort,  they 
did  not  venture  to  grumble  or  make  any  complaints. 

Captain  Column,  the  pilot,  chuckled,  and  declared  it 
was  all  right ;  the  commander  knew  what  he  was  about, 
and  would  get  the  steamer  out  of  the  scrape  without  even 
a  shot  from  the  Yankee  men-of-war. 

Somers  had  kept  up  his  dignity  and  maintained  his 
Gelf-possession  in  the  exciting  scenes  through  which  he 
had  just  passed  ;  but  it  must  not  be  thought  that  he  was 
as  easy  in  mind  as  he  appeared  to  be.  Every  moment 
had  been  burdened  with  its  own  peculiar  anxiety.  The 
least  slip,  the  slightest  accident,  would  expose  him  and 


LIFE    ON    THE    QU ARTE II    DECK.  245 

his  brave  followers  to  great,  peril,  if  not  to  capture  and 
death.  He  had  won  the  day  thus  far  by  the  mere  force 
of  impudence  and  self-possession  ;  but  it  was  not  without 
a  fear  of  failure,  disgrace,  and  captivity. 

But  everything,  up  to  this  time,  had  worked  admirably. 
He  had  met  and  successfully  turued  aside  the  obstacles 
wi»ich  beset  him  ;  and  when  tiie  Ben  Lomond  came  to 
anchor,  the  prospect  looked  more  hopeful  than  at  any 
previous  hour.  It  was  now  about  two  o'clock  in  the 
morning.  As  there  was  nothing  to  do,  he  devoted  au 
hour  to  an  examination  of  the  vessel,  which  had  beeiv 
fitted  up  at  Mobile  as  a  rebel  cruiser.  She  had  a  heavy 
rifled  pivot  gun  amidships,  and  four  broadside  guns,  and 
was  in  every  respect  well  provided  for  the  work  in  which 
she  was  to  engage. 

She  was  a  vessel  of  about  four  hundred  tons  measure- 
ment, long,  narrow,  and  very  sharp.  Her  rig  was  that 
of  a  topsail  schooner,  and  her  smoke-stack  raked  with 
her  masts.  She  was  a  beautiful  craft,  and  no  labor  or 
expense  bad  been  spared  to  make  her  the  fastest  and 
most  elegant  vessel  afloat. 

Eiven  in  the  darkness,  Somers  could  see  enough  of  her 
shape  and  fittings  to  excite  his  admiration.  He  passed 
from  the  spar  deck  to  the  berth  deck,  where  everything 
was  in  keeping  with  her  appearance  above.  The  ward- 
room was  small,  but  it  was  comfortable  and  well  ar- 
ranged, and  the  captain's  cabin  was  fitted  up  like  that  of 
21* 


246  BRAVE  OLD  SALT,   OR 

a  royal  yacht.  Probably  Mr.  Pillgrim  had  spent  some 
of  his  own  money  on  these  arrangements  before  she  left 
the  Clyde  ;  but  what  contributed  distinctly  to  make  her 
a  war  steamer  had  been  done  after  her  arrival  at  Mobile. 

Somers  was  delighted  with  the  arrangements  of  the 
prize,  and  as  he  examined  the  commander's  cabin,  he 
could  not  help  envying  the  man  who  was  permitted  to 
occupy  this  sumptuous  and  convenient  apartment ;  that 
is,  if  the  stars  and  stripes  floated  at  the  peak  above  him, 
for  he  would  rather  have  been  a  coal-heaver  in  a  loyal 
^hip,  than  in  command  of  the  Ben  Lomond  under  the 
flag  of  the  Confederacy. 

Mr.  Swayne  had  conducted  Somers  over  the  vessel, 
rtnd  pointed  out  to  him  those  features  which  were  most 
worthy  of  notice. 

"  She  is  a  splendid  vessel,"  said  the  young  command- 
er, as  they  paused  in  the  ward-room. 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  I  am  but  too  happy  in  being  appointed  to 
such  a  ship.  If  we  only  get  clear  of  the  Yankee  squad- 
ron, we  shall  give  a  good  account  of  her." 

"  We  shall  have  no  quarrel  with  the  Yankee  ships," 
replied  Somers,  as  he  led  the  way  to  the  spar  deck  again, 
for  he  was  not  disposed,  just  yet,  to  let  Pillgrim  and 
Langdon,  Avho  were  confined  there,  hear  his  voice. 

"  Captain  Pillgrim,  you  seem  to  be  more  confident  on 
this  point  than  your  officers,"  replied  Swayne,  in  a  gen- 
tle tone,  which  more  than  insinuated  that  he  would  lika 
to  know  more  of  the  commander's  plans. 


LIFE  ON  TRE   QUARTER  DECK.  247 

Soraers  was  very  anxious  that  he  should  know  mora 
of  them,  so  as  to  prevent  anj  suspicious  which  his  subse- 
quent course  might  excite. 

"  From  what  point  did  you  expect  me  to  come,  before 
my  arrival?"  asked  Somers. 

"  I  had  no  idea.  Mr.  Langdon  seemed  to  be  familiar 
with  all  your  movements,  but  he  did  not  say  much  about 
them.  He  did  remark,  at  one  time,  that  you  were 
coming  down  as  second  lieutenant  of  one  of  the  Yankee 
men-of-war." 

"  Did  he,  indeed?     "Well,  he  was  a  prudent  man,  and 
he  will  have    his   reward  within   a   few  days.     Did  he 
really  say  that  ?  " 
.  "  He  did." 

"  I  was  deceived  in  him  ;  he  was  not  to  be  trusted.  I 
placed  every  confidence  in  him.  What  else  did  he  tell 
you  ?  "  asked  Somers,  artfully. 

"  Nothing  else,  sir.  He  said  more  to  me  than  to  any 
other  officer,  and  hardly  anything  to  me." 

"  He  has  betrayed  me." 

"  He  told  only  me  that  you  were  to  come  in  a  Yankee 
man-of-war." 

"  Yes,  he  did  ;  the  pilot  knew  it  —  spoke  to  me  of  it ; 
and  very  likely  every  man  in  the  ship  has  the  news. 
But,  Mr.  Svvayne,  the  statement  was  true." 

"■  Mr.  Langdon  afterwards  contradicted  it,  and  said 
you  yfo^e  in  Richmond,  and  were  coming  down  by  laud." 


248  BliAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"Probably  lie  thought  he  had  made  a  blunder.  I  did 
come  down  ia  the  Yankee  ship,  the  Chatauqua.  I  am 
third  lieutenant  of  her,  not  second.  I  was  sent  off  by 
the  captain,  at  my  own  suggestion,  of  course,  to  bring 
out  this  vessel.     I  have  done  it  —  haven't  I?" 

"  You  have,"  laughed  Swayne.  "  Then  you  ax-e  ex- 
pected by  the  Yankees  ?  " 

"  Of  course  I  am." 

The  first  lieutenant  of  the  Ben  Lomond  indulged  In  a 
laugh  highly  complimentary  to  the  skill  and  cleverness  of 
his  commander.  Somers  laughed  with  him.  It  was  an 
excellent  joke  to  both  parties,  though,  like  the  Druid 
shield,  it  was  seen  from  different  points  of  view. 

"  Capital !  "  exclaimed  Mr.  Swayne,  when  iie  had 
evaporated  the  foam  of  his  mirth. 

"•  If  the  fog  clears  off,  I  shall  letup  some  rockets,  which 
will  prevent  the  Yankees  from  firing  at  us.     You  undei 
stand  ?  " 

"  I  see,  sir:  you  have  the  Yankee  signals?"  chuckled 
Mr.  Swayne. 

"  Every  one  of  them.  No  doubt  they  are  on  the  look- 
out for  me  in  every  ship  in  the  squadron." 

"  Excellent,  Captain  Pillgrim.  This  is,  by  all  odds, 
the  best  joke  of  the  season." 

"  Now,  Mr.  Swayne,  you  will  hoist  the  Yankee  flag 
over  the  Confederate." 

"  I  don't  like  to  do  that,  captain,"  added  Mr.  Swayne, 
with  a  burst  of  patriotic  e'Hhusiasm. 


LIFE    ON   THE    QUARTER    DECK.  24& 

"  For  a  purpose,  Mr.  Swayne.  Of  course,  wlien  the 
men-of-war  see  that  flag  over  the  other,  they  will  not 
fire.  We  shall  run  through  the  squadron,  as  though  we 
belonged  to  it ;  and  then  —  well,  you  will  see  what  you 
will  see." 

"  Exactly  so  !  "  exclaimed  Mr.  Swayne,  who  seemed 
to  enjoy  the  prospect  exceedingly,  even  independent  of 
his  desire  to  flatter  and  "  toady  "  to  his  commander. 

The  flags  were  hoisted  as  Somers  directed,  and  the 
"  captain"  for  a  couple  of  hours  planked  the  deck  in 
silence,  impatiently  waiting  for  the  fog  to  lift,  or  for  the 
daylight  to  come.  It  was  hip  policy  to  anchor,  because  he 
Was  fearful  that  the  steamer  would  run  by  the  squadron, 
in  the  fog  and  darkness,  anci  it  w^ould  excite  suspicion  to 
return  to  the  fleet,  after  safelj-  passing  through  it.  If 
Mr.  Swayne  had  suspected  any  treachery,  or  that  every- 
thing was  not  as  it  appeared  to  It ,  it  would  have  gone 
hard  with  Somers  and  his  men,  for  he  could  call  in 
double  the  loyal  force  to  assisC  bim^  Ir^rld-^s  releasing 
Pillgi-im  and  Langdon. 

At  four  o'clock  in  tho  morning.,  ihe  Tog  UfteA,  and 
Somers  directed  the  rockets  to  be  di!\  barged,  and  the 
steamer  to  be  got  under  way.  Though  anxious  to  keep 
up  appearances,  he  quietly  directed  Tom  Longstone  to 
make  as  much  delay  as  possible,  and  by  some  accident 
the  messenger  parted  when  the  ancbor  was  apeak,  and 
it  was  necessary  to  do  tlie  work  ov^r  again. 


250  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  Captain  Pillgrim,  what  shall  be  clone  with  the  mea 
who  came  on  board  with  you?"  asked  Mr.  Swayne, 
while  tke  crew  were  walking  round  the  capstan. 

"■  What  shall  be  done  with  them  ?  "  asked  Somers,  ap- 
parently not  comprehending  the  meaning  of  the  question. 

"  They  are  Yankees  —  are  they  not  ?  " 

"  They  are  true  men,  Mr.  Swayne.  I  selected  them 
for  this  very  duty,  and  I  know  them." 

"  Excuse  me,  sir,  I  heard  one  of  them  singing  a  Yan- 
kee song,  just  now." 

"  They  have  been  in  the  habit  of  singing  such  songs 
lately ;  but  they  are  true  men,  and  will  stand  by  me  to 
the  last.  If  I  had  wanted  them,  I  might  have  brought 
off  a  hundred  of  the  crew  of  the  Chatauqua." 

Somers  told  a  great  many  truths  in  the  course  of  the 
night,  for  the  purpose  of  deceiving  the  enemies  of  his 
country,  which  is  a  very  anomalous  duty  for  truth  to 
perform. 

The  anchor  was  at  the  hawse  hole,  was  "  catted  and 
fished  ;  "  and  the  Ben  Lomond  moved  on  again,  with  the 
pilot  on  the  bridge.  As  the  fog  lifted,  and  the  daylight 
increased,  the  squadron  of  "  Brave  Old  Salt "  was  seen 
by  Somers  and  his  companions.  As  he  had  promised, 
not  a  ship  fired  on  the  steamer,  or  offered  to  molest  her. 
The  first  lieutenant,  pilot,  and  other  officers  were  en- 
tirely satisfied  that  everything  was  working  in  exact 
accordance  with  the  plans  of  their  "  smart "  commanderi 
»s  they  already  called  him. 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  251 

The  exciting  moment  when  all  the  delusion  would  be 
swept  away,  and  the  rebel  officers  and  seamen  find  them- 
selves  prisoners,  and  their  ship  a  prize,  was  at  hand. 
Somers  had  already  arranged  his  final  movements  with 
the  boatswain,  and  certain  of  the  men  were  instructed  to 
perform  particular  parts  in  the  closing  scene  of  the  drama^ 

"  Now,  Captain  Column,"  said  Somers  to  the  pilot, 
"  we  must  run  down  for  the  Chatauqua.  She  is  the  last 
vessel  in  the  squadron,  and  if  we  appear  to  be  moving 
towards  her,  nothing  will  be  suspected." 

"  Exactly  so,  captain,"  replied  the  pilot,  shaking  his 
fat  sides  with  laughter  at  the  Yankee  trick  which  they 
were  playing  off  upon  the  originators  of  this  species  of 
pleasantry. 

'•  It  is  quite  smooth  this  morning.  The  wind  has  all 
gone  down.  Eua  right  under  the  quarter  of  the  Cha- 
tauqua." 

"  I  can  take  her  within  six  feet  of  the  ship,  if  you 
like." 

"  Not  too  close." 

"  They  r.  ill  give  us  three  cheers,  won't  they  ?  "  laughed 
ihe  pilot. 

"  Very  likely." 

"  Port  !  "  shouted  the  pilot,  as  the  Ben  Lomond  ap- 
proached the  Chatauqua. 

♦'  Port ! "  yelled  the  quartermaster  at  the  helm,  at 
whose  side  stood  Tom  Longstone. 


252  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  Port !"  repeated  the  pilot  with  greater  energy,  wheu 
he  saw  that  the  head  of  the  steamer  was  swinging  off 
from  the  Chatauqiia. 

"  Port !  "  again  responded  the  quartermaster. 

"  Starboard  a  little  more,"  said  Tom,  in  a  low  tone. 

Captain  Column  began  to  storm  because  the  helm  did 
not  go  to  port  as  he  ordered. 

"  Can't  help  it,  sir.  The  tiller  chains  are  jammed, 
sir,"  replied  the  quartermaster. 

"  Now  hard  a  port !  "  said  Tom  Longstone. 

"  Starboard  !  Hard  a  starboard  !  "  screamed  the  pilot, 
in  tones  of  fury. 

"  Helm  is  jammed,  sir  !  "  returned  the  boatswain. 

At  this  moment  the  bells  were  rung  to  stop,  and  then 
to  back  the  engine.  To  all  but  the  half  dozen  loyal  sea- 
men who  stood  near  the  helm,  everything  seemed  to  be 
in  confusion.  The  Ben  Lomond  ran  up  on  the  lee  side 
of  the  Chatauqua,  and  stopped  within  a  few  feet  of  her. 
A  stroke  of  the  wheels  and  a  turn  of  the  helm  brought 
her  alongside,  before  the  rebels  could  clearly  apprehend 
the  situation.  The  twenty-four  men,  with  their  revolvers 
and  cutlasses,  stood  ready  to  check  any  demonstration  on 
the  part  of  oificers  or  crew,  but  none  was  made.  Their 
weapons  Avere  in  the  armory,  and  they  suspected  nothing 
till  an  instant  before  the  steamer  touched  the  ship's  side. 

Conant,  as  instructed,  leaped  on  board  the  Chatauqua, 
and  reported  Somers's  wish  to  the   officer  of  the   deck. 


LIFE    OK    THE    OUARTEIi    DECK.  253 

In  another  moment,  the  watch  ou  deck  of  the  maa-of- 
war  poured  into  the  prize,  and  secured  every  otficer  and 
seaman.  Then  came  the  thi'ee  rousing  cheers  which  the 
pilot  had  expected,  and  the  work  was  done. 

If  ever  a  rebel  was  disappointed,  disheartened,  and 
disgusted,  it  was  Mr.  Swayne.  He  had  been  bewildered 
by  the  sudden  change  in  the  course  of  the  steamer,  and 
actually  believed  that  it  was  caused  by  the  wheel  chains 
being  jammed,  until  the  watch  from  the  Chatauqua 
poured  in  upon  her  decks. 

"•  Well,  Mr.  Swayne,  I  suppose  you  are  satisfied  that  I 
spoke  the  truth.  The  Yankees  have  not  fired  upon  us  ; 
I  came  down  in  the  Chatauqua  ;  I  was  sent  off  to  bring 
out  this  vessel ;  I  have  done  it,"  said  8omers. 

"  I  had  no  suspicion  you  were  a  Yankee,"  replied  the 
first  lieutenant.  "  Where  did  you  get  your  commis-. 
sion?" 

"  It  was  given  me  by  Mr.  Langdon  and  Mr.  Pillgrim, 
both  of  whom  are  under  guard  below." 

Swayne  used  some  expletives  more  forcible  than  polite, 
and  Somers  went  on  board  the  Chatauqua  to  report. 
22 


254  Bit  AVE   OLD   SALT,    OR 


CHAPTER     XXIV. 


PILLGRIM    AND    LANGDON. 


(XJ/  HAVE   the  liouor   to  report  the  capture  of  the 
Ben    Lomoud,  otherwise   the    Tallapoosa,"  said 
Somers,  as  he  advanced  towards  Mr.  Hackleford, 
his  face  red  with  blushes,  and  his  heart  bounding 
with  emotion. 

The  first  lieutenant  of  the  Chatauqua  had  regarded  his 
enterprise  with  a  want  of  faith,  to  say  the  least ;  and 
when  the  young  commander  of  the  expedition  came  for- 
ward to  report  its  entire  success,  there  was  something 
like  pride  and  exultation  in  his  manner,  mingling  not  un- 
gracefully with  the  manifestations  of  his  natural  modesty. 
He  had  done  "  a  big  thing ;  "  he  felt  that  he  had  done 
"  a  big  thing  ;  "  and  it  would  have  been  a  ridiculous 
affectation  for  him  to  pretend,  by  word  or  manner,  that 
he  had  not  done  "  a  big  thing." 

"  I  congratulate  you  upon  your  success,  Mr.  Soraers," 
replied  Mr.  Hackleford,  warmly.  ''  I  was  sceptical,  I 
confess  ;  but  no  man  in  the  fleet  is  happier  than  I  am  at 
your  good  fortune." 


LIFE    ON   THE  QUARTER   DECK.  255 

"  Thauk  you,  sir,"  said  Somers,  blushing  more  deeply 
tliaa  before,  and  almost  wishing  that  the  first  lieiitenant 
liad  done  the  "  big  thing  "  instead  of  himself,  because  he 
was  so  kind  and  generous  in  his  commendation. 

"  You  have  managed  the  affair  with  skill  and  energy. 
For  my  own  part,  I  did  not  believe  you  would  even  get 
into  the  bay,  let  alone  capturing  the  vessel.  I  am  aston- 
ished at  your  success,  but  none  the  less  delighted  because 
I  am  surprised." 

"  Thauk  you,  sir,"  was  all  Somers  could  say  in  reply 
to  this  praise  so  magnanimously  bestowed. 

"  Captain  Cascabel  will  see  you,  in  his  cabin,  and  we 
will  hear  your  verbal  report  there." 

Mr.  Garboard  had  already  gone  on  board  the  prize, 
hauled  her  off  from  the  ship,  where  she  was  chafing  her 
sides,  and  moored  her  a  cable's  length  distant.  Somers 
went  below,  Avhere  he  was  as  warmly  and  generously 
greeted  by  the  captain  as  he  had  been  by  the  first  lieuten- 
ant. He  related  the  story  of  his  night's  adventures  to 
them  with  all  necessary  minuteness.  His  auditors  could 
not  help  laughing  when  he  told  them  what  he  had  done 
with  his  old  friends,  the  first  lieutenant  and  the  com- 
mander of  the  rebel  craft.  He  had  acted  on  his  theory 
of  Pillgrim's  intended  movements,  and  thus  kept  himself 
above  suspicion. 

"  How  does  Mr.  Pillgrim  appear?"  asked  the  captain. 

"  I  haven't  seen  hliii,  sir  ;  1  was  very  carei^ul  not  to 


256  BRAVE  OLD   SALT,    OR 

let  him  see  me.  Mr.  Swayne,  the  first  lieutenant  of  the 
Ben  Lomoud,  after  I  had  disposed  of  Langdon,  managed 
him  for  lue." 

"  It's  a  A  ery  amusing  as  well  as  a  very  exciting  affair. 
But  we  must  see  these  officers.     Where  are  they?" 

"  Under  guard  in  the  state-rooms  of  the  prize,  sir." 

"  Bring  them  on  board,  if  you  please,  Mr.  Somers. 
Get  your  breakfast  first." 

Somers  went  to  the  v/ard-room,  where  he  breakfasted 
with  the  officers  off  duty.  He  was  cordially  congratu- 
lated upon  his  success,  though  perhaps  some  of  the  mess 
regarded  him  as  rather  exclusive  in  permitting  none  of 
them  to  share  his  laurels. 

After  breakfast  the  first  cutter  was  cleared  away,  and 
Somers  pulled  to  the  prize  in  her.  The  Ben  Lomond 
was  temporarily  in  charge  of  the  second  lieutenant  of 
the  Chatauqua,  who  had  secured  the  prisoners,  and  put 
everything  in  order  on  board.  Somers  went  at  once  to 
the  ward-room,  where  the  two  most  important  prisoners 
Vere  confined.  There  were  now  at  each  door  a  couple 
of  marines  with  loaded  muskets,  but  no  communication 
had  been  had  with  the  solitary  occupant  of  either. 

Pillgrim  had  several  times  attempted  to  obtain  some 
information  in  regard  to  what  was  going  on,  but  he  was 
stiil  in  darkness.  Even  the  bull's  eye  in  his  room  could 
not  have  enlightened  him,  for  it  was  on  the  starboard  side 
vf  the  steamer,  while  the  Chatauqua  lay  on  the  port  side. 


LIFE  ON  THE  QUAUTER  DECK.  257 

Somers  ordered  the  marines  to  open  the  door  of  Lang- 
d»/n's  room  first,  and  the  kite  first  lieutenant  of  the  Tal- 
lapoosa came  forth. 

"  Lieutenant  Wynkoop,  I  believe,"  said  Somers,  face* 
tiously. 

Langdon  looked  at  him  with  astonishment. 

"  Have  you  any  more  old  sherry  that  has  made  two 
voyages  to  India  ?  " 

"  This  is  hardly  magnanimous,  Mr.  Somers,"  said 
Langdon,  coldly. 

"  Perhaps  not ;  but  when  officers  stoop  to  such  tricks 
as  those  you  have  practised,  there  can  be  no  great  harm 
iu  mentioning  them." 

"  Mr.  Somers,  I  find  myself  somewhat  bewildered." 

"  I  dare  say,"  laughed  Somers.  "•  Very  likely  your 
friend  Pillgrim,  or  Coles,  is  iu  the  same  situation." 

*'  Is  he  on  board  ?  " 

"  He  is." 

"  I  have  not  seen  him  since  he  left  Philadelphia  in  the 
Chatauqua." 

"  I  have." 

"  You  were  in  the  Chatauqua  with  him?  " 

"  For  a  short  time." 

"  I  had  a  letter  from  him,  dated  at  Richmond,  saying 
that  he  had  changed  his  plans." 

"Changed  them  —  did  he?"  said  Somers,  who  had 


258  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

cliauged  them  for  liim.  "  Perhaps  you  will  inform  me 
how  you  happened  to  be  on  board  this  vessel." 

"■  I  don't  object ;  it  makes  little  difference  what  I  say 
■now.  After  obtaining  tlie  command  of  the  Tallapoosa 
for  Pillgrim,  I  went  to  Wilmington,  where  I  was  to  take 
command  of  the  Coosa." 

"  You  mean  the  Ben  Nevis." 

"  I  do." 

"  I  thought  you  were  to  call  her  the  Louisiana." 

"  We  did  not  always  give  you  correct  information," 
added  Langdon,  with  a  sickly  smile. 

"  Go  on." 

"  While  at  Wilmington  I  got  a  letter  from  Pillgrim, 
then  in  Richmond,  informing  me  that  the  Ben  Nevis  had 
been  captured,  and  that  I  was  appointed  first  lieutenant 
of  the  Tallapoosa,  if  I  chose  to  take  the  place.  I  did 
choose  to  take  it,  hoping  soon  to  be  in  command  of  one 
of  the  California  steamers.  I  went  to  Mobile  at  once, 
and  attended  to  the  fitting  out  of  the  ship.  Pillgrim 
wrote  me  that  he  should  be  on  board  by  the  2 2d,  and 
I  had  steam  up  to  nm  out  the  moment  he  arrived." 

"  How  happened  you  to  tell  your  officers  that  Pillgrim 
was  coming  down  in  a  Yankee  man-of-war  ? "  asked 
Somers. 

"  That  was  his  original  plan.  Though  he  wrote  me 
from  Richmond,  I  did  not  know  but  that  he  intended  to 
return  to  the  Chatauqua.     He  gave  me  no  particulars  ,* 


LIFE  ON  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  259 

did  not  tell  me  that  his  plans  had  failed,  only  that  he  had 
changed  them.  When  he  wrote  that  he  should  be  on 
board  by  the  22d,  I  knew  he  was  coming  down  by  land, 
and  I  corrected  my  statement.  Now,  Mr.  Somers,  will 
you  tell  me  how  you  happen  to  be  here  ?  " 

"  Marine,  bring  out  the  other  prisoner,"  said  SomefS, 
who  had  been  instructed  by  Captain  Cascabel  to  confer 
with  the  conspirators,  if  he  could  obtain  any  information 
from  them. 

The  discomfited,  crestfallen  commander  of  the  Talla- 
poosa was  brought  from  his  room  by  a  marine.  He  saw 
Somers,  and  started  back  with  astonishment.  He  was 
pale  and  haggard,  as  though  he  had  been  spending  his 
time  in  drinking  bad  whiskey,  and  in  other  debauchery. 
He  had  upon  his  face  a  fortnight's  growth  of  black  beard, 
and  looked  more  like  "  Coles "  than  when  Somers  had 
last  met  him.  His  captor  concluded  that  his  misfortunes 
on  board  the  Chatauquu  had  depressed  his  spirits,  in  spite 
of  the  cool  look  he  had  before  carried,  and  that  he  had 
given  way  to  dissipation.  He  certainly  appeared  like  a 
person  who  had  just  come  out  of  a  hard  "  spree." 

In  the  Ben  Lomond  there  was  a  door  opening  from  the 
ward-room  into  the  captain's  cabin.  The  vessel  had 
evidently  been  built  for  a  swift  passenger  steamer.  The 
ward-room  was  a  portion  of  the  main  cabin,  from  which 
the  steerage  and  engineers'  rooms  had  been  p4»>rted  off; 
while   the    captain's    cabin    was    the    original    '*  ladies' 


260  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

saloon."  Langdon  had  been  conducted  by  the  marines 
through  this  door  to  the  captain's  cabin,  where  the 
conversation  with  him  had  taken  place.  Pillgrim  was  in 
the  same  manner  introduced  to  this  apartment. 

"  Mr.  iSomers  !  "  exclaimed  the  traitor. 

'*  Yes,  sir.  In  the  letter  you  sent  me  from  Old  Point 
Comlort,  —  and  I  am  greatly  obliged  to  you  for  the 
information  contained  in  that  letter,  —  you  expressed  a 
hope  that  you  should  meet  me  on  board  of  the  Ben 
Lomond.  Your  wish  has  been  realized,"  replied  Somers, 
taking  the  original  letter,  with  other  papers,  from  his 
pocket. 

Pillgrim  trembled  in  every  fibre  of  his  frame.  It  was 
not  thus  he  had  hoped  to  meet  his  enemy. 

"  '  If  you  capture  the  Ben  Lomond,  it  will  make  you 
a  lieutenant.  Do  it,  by  all  means,'  "  continued  Somers, 
reading  the  last  paragraph  of  the  letter.  "  This  was 
your  advice.     I  have  done  it." 

Pillgrim  made  no  reply.  His  pale,  haggard  face, 
darkened  by  his  half-grown  beard,  was  contorted  by 
emotion,  and  his  bloodshot  eyes  had  lost  their  fire. 

"  You  don't  seem  to  enjoy  the  situation  so  much  as 
your  letter  intimated  that  you  would." 

"  Mr.  Somers,  I  am  your  prisoner,"  said  he,  with  a 
desperate  struggle. 

"  You  are ;  you  will  not  have  the  pleasure  of  hang- 
ing me  at  the  yard-arm." 


LIFE    ON   THE    QUARTER   DECK.  261 

*'  1  am  bewildered  —  overcome." 

"  So  was  Langdon." 

'■'•  I  see  why  you  did  not  join  your  ship  before,"  said 
Langdon,  with  a  sneer,  as  he  glanced  contemptuously  at 
his  principal.     "  You  have  been  dissipating." 

This  remark  brought  forth  an  angry  retort  from  Pill- 
grim,  and  for  a  few  moments  each  traitor  reproached  and 
vilified  the  other,  much  to  the  amusement  of  the  marines, 
and  to  the  disgust  of  Somers,  who  was  compelled  to  in- 
terfere. Langdon's  severest  charge  against  his  late  cap- 
tain was,  that  he  had  betrayed  their  schemes  by  writing 
letters,  and  in  other  stupid  ways.     Pillgrim  denied  it. 

**  Mr,  Somers  has  just  thanked  you  for  the  informatioa 
contained  in  your  letter,"  sneered  Langdon.  "  He  has 
good  reason  to  do  so." 

*'  I  gave  him  no  information  that  could  be  of  any  ser- 
vice to  him." 

"  You  gave  him  the  name  of  the  vessel,"  retorted 
Langdon. 

"  But  I  did  not  tell  him  where  she  was," 

*'  You  gave  me  that  information,  Mr.  Langdon,"  said 
Somers,  quietly. 

"  I?  " 

Somers  exhibited  the  letter  in  cipher. 

"  You  could  not  read  that  without  the  key,"  protested 
the  writer  of  the  note. 

*'  The  first  word  I  made  out   was   '  Langdon : '   the 


?62  BliAVE    OLD    SALT,    Oil 

jiext,  '  Ben  Lomond.'  1  am  indebted  to  both  of  you. 
riie  moral  of  the  whole  affair  is,  that  treason  cannot 
prosper.  I  am  indebted  to  both  of  you  for  the  informa- 
tion which  enabled  me  to  capture  the  steamer.  Gentle- 
men, it  becomes  my  duty  to  conduct  you  on  board  of  the 
Chatauqua." 

"  No,  Mr.  Somers  !  "  groaned  Pillgrim,  "  spare  me 
that." 

"■  I  must  obey  my  orders." 

The  traitor  objected  strongly  to  being  taken  into  the 
presence  of  the  officers  of  the  ship  in  which  he  had  so 
recently  served.  He  protested  that  he  had  but  a  few 
days  to  live,  and  begged  to  be  saved  from  this  humilia- 
tion. But  Somers,  though  he  was  not  without  pity  for 
the  degraded  and  disgraced  wretch,  had  no  alternative 
but  to  obey  the  orders  of  Captain  Cascabel. 

Langdon  accepted  his  misfortunes  with  more  resigna- 
tion. He  was  quite  cheerful,  and  volunteered  to  tell  all 
he  knew,  though  he  was  very  bitter  against  Pillgrim, 
who,  he  declared,  had  I'uined  all  their  hopes  by  his  dissi- 
pation, his  silly  pretensions,  and  his  reckless  exposure  of 
their  plans. 

Somers  was  now  satisfied  that  Pillgrim  had  been  in- 
toxicated when  he  came  over  the  side  of  the  Ben  Lo- 
mond the  night  before,  which  accounted  for  his  violent 
condiKt,  and  which  was  one  of  the  accidents  which 
assisted  in  the  easy  capture  of  the  vessel. 


LIFE    ON   THE    QUARTER   DECK.  263 

Both  the  prisoners  Avere  examined  on  board  tiie  Cha- 
tauqua ;  and,  with  the  explanations  of  Somers,  their 
operations  were  clearly  comprehended.  They  were  placed 
in  confinement,  to  await  the  final  decision  in  regard  to 
them.  In  the  forenoon  Somers  was  sent  to  make  his 
report  to  the  admiral.  He  was  warmly  received,  judi- 
ciously commended,  and  courteously  dismissed.  The 
young  officer's  respect  and  admiration  for  "  Brave  Old 
Salt"  were  not  diminished  by  his  second  interview. 

In  the  afternoon  the  Ben  Lomond,  in  charge  of  an  act- 
ing ensign,  was  sent  to  Pensacola,  where  she  was  to 
remain  until  further  orders.  It  was  surmised  that  the 
admiral,  not  wishing  to  spare  any  of  the  best  officers  of 
the  fleet,  when  on  the  eve  of  a  mighty  event,  had  decided 
to  let  the  prize  remain  in  port  with  her  prisoners  until  a 
more  favorable  season.  Be  this  as  it  may,  the  Old  Sala- 
mander kept  everybody  busy  for  the  next  ten  days,  when, 
the  monitors  having  arrived,  and  all  the  ships  intended 
for  the  attack  being  in  complete  readiness,  the  order  was 
given  for  the  battle,  which  now  stands  without  a  parallel 
in  the  annals  of  naval  warfare. 


I 


264  BRAVE  OLD   SALT,   OB 


CHAPTER    XXY. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  MOBILE  BAY 

rV/'N  order  to  appreciate  the  importance  of  the  tre~ 
mendous  action  in  Mobile  Bay,  it  is  necessary  to 
consider  that  Mobile  and  Wilmington  were  the 
only  available  ports  of  the  rebels  east  of  the 
Mississippi.  The  resources  of  the  Confederacy  Avere 
exhausted  by  three  years  of  wasting  war,  and  it  was 
dependent  upon  foreign  supplies  for  the  means  of  con- 
tinuing the  strife.  The  earnest  attention  of  the  govern- 
ment at  Washington,  therefore,  was  directed  to  the  shut- 
ting up  of  these  ports. 

To  form  a  correct  idea  of  the  obstacles  to  the  closing 
of  Mobile  Bay,  which  had  been  intrusted  to  Admiral 
Farragut,  it  should  be  remembered  that  its  entrance  was 
guarded  by  two  strongly-built  and  heavily-armed  forts  ; 
that  the  only  available  channel  for  large  vessels,  but 
three  fourths  of  a  mile  in  width,  ran  under  the  guns  of 
Fort  Morgan,  the  stronger  of  the  two  forts  ;  that  this 
channel  was  filled  with  sunken  torpedoes,  which,  experi- 
ence had  demonstrated,  were  fatal  to  any  vessels  subjected 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  265 

to  the  explosion  ;  and  that  the  rebels  had  a  fleet  of  gun- 
boats and  iron-elads,  wliich  could  operate  with  every 
advantage  against  an  advancing  fleet. 

"  Brave  Old  Salt "  had  estimated  all  these  obstacles, 
and  believing  that  "  success  was  a  duty,"  he  had  resolved 
to  overcome  thorn.  All  the  expedients  which  the  ingenu- 
ity of  a  thorough  seaman  coidd  devise  were  adopted  to 
strengthen  and  protect  the  ships.  The  plan  of  the  battle 
was  entirely  original,  ami  displayed  the  genius  of  its 
author.  The  admiral  niode^^tly  declares  that  he  only 
obeyed  the  orders  of  tiie  navy  department,  and  disclaima 
the  credit  so  lavishly  awarded  to  him  by  his  admiring 
fellow-citizens  ;  but  the  government  did  not  tell  him  how 
to  do  it —  and  in  that  consisted  tlie  doing  of  it  —  did  not 
order  him  to  *•'  lash  ships  "  and  take  iiis  elevated  position 
in  the  main  rigging  ;  did  not  bid  him  "■  butt "  the  rebel 
rams  with  his  wooden  prows  ;  and  for  all  these  things 
does  the  whole  world  sound  his  praise. 

At  half  past  five  in  the  morning  the  Chatauqua,  with 
the  Androscoggin  lashed  to  her  port  side,  took  her  posi« 
tion  in  the  line  of  battle.  Tlie  Brooklyn  was  to  lead  the 
van,  with  the  "  Old  Hartford,"  the  flag-ship,  next  in  the 
line,  though  the  doughty  old  admiral  had  but  tardily 
acceded  to  the  request  of  his  officers  in  takiug  this  place. 
The  position  of  the  Chatauqua  was  in  the  centre  of  the 
Une  of  battle. 

At  the  signal  from  the  admiral,  the  fleet  moved  on. 
23 


266  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OB 

Every  officer  was  full  of  zeal  aud  enthusiasm,  though  il 
was  certain  that  some  of  tliem  would  never  behold  tlie 
lijht  of  another  day  ;  that  more  or  less  of  the  gallant 
vessels  must  soon  be  overwhelmed  by  the  hidden  engines 
of  destruction  which  had  been  planted  in  the  channel. 
Somers  regarded  it  as  the  great  day  of  his  existence. 
He  had  read  his  Testament  and  said  his  prayers  that 
morning  as  though  it  were  the  last  day  he  had  to  live, 
for  the  most  fearful  and  deadly  strife  of  the  whole  war 
was  anticipated.  A  man  is  never  so  fully  prepared  to 
live  well  and  do  his  duty  faithfully  as  when  he  is  ready 
to  die. 

While  the  young  officer  thought  even  more  tenderly 
than  usual  of  the  loved  ones  in  his  far-off  home,  and  of 
that  other  loved  one  who  was  never  forgotten  when  home 
was  remembered,  he  felt  that  his  country  was  theirs,  and 
that  every  blow  struck  for  the  nation  was  struck  for 
them.  To  die  for  his  country  was  to  die  for  them  —  for 
his  own  home  ;  aud  he  asked  no  higher  duty  than  to  sac- 
rifice his  life,  if  such  was  the  will  of  God.  "  Thy  will 
be  done,"  he  repeated  many  times,  though  life  was  full 
of  liopes  and  joys  to  him. 

The  fleet  moved  on,  and  the  roar  of  the  great  guns  in 
the  monitors  soon  announced  that  the  action  had  com 
menced.  The  chase  guns  of  the  Chatauqiui  opened  first, 
aud  the  ship  trembled  beneath  the  concussion. 

"  The  Tecumseh  has  gone  dowu,"  passed  from  mouth 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  267 

to  mouth,  as  a  tremeudous  explosion  saluted  the  ears  of 
tlie  seamen. 

The  monitor  had  struck  upon  a  torpedo,  and  in  a  mo« 
ment  had  disappeared  beneath  the  tide,  carrying  down 
with  her  nearly  all  her  gallant  crew.  But  this  incident, 
appalling  as  it  was  even  to  the  battle-scarred  veterans  on 
the  decks  of  the  fleet,  was  hardly  heeded  in  the  terrible 
determination  of  purpose  which  animated  every  heart. 
The  Brooklyn  paused  to  dodge  some  suppos*"d  torpedo 
buoys,  and  "  Brave  Old  Salt"  dashed  aheaf*  in  the  Hart- 
ford to  his  proper  place  in  the  van  of  tb*;  battle. 

The  ships  in  pairs  came  up  abreast  of  the  fort ;  and 
according  to  the  orders  of  the  admiral,  the  broadside  and 
other  guns  opened  upon  the  work'?,  not  with  solid  shot,  in 
futile  attempts  to  batter  dowr  'heir  dense  walls,  but  with 
grape,  which  drove  the  gur*  ~i*s  of  the  fort  frona  their 
stations. 

Never  were  guns  fired  i^-ore  rapidly  ;  and  the  roar  was 
tremendous,  shaking  aP  earth  beneath,  and  enveloping 
the  scene  in  dense  vol'^mes  of  smoke,  above  which,  as  it 
occasionally  rolled  fVay,  might  be  seen  the  admiral, 
lashed  to  the  main  '  'gging  of  the  Hartford.  A  glimpse 
at  him  never  failed  lo  call  forth  the  most  unbounded  en- 
thusiasm, among  '  fficers  and  seamen. 

With  rompai f>',ively  little  injury  the  fleet  passed  the 
fort,  and  ,'jta.>  liig  to  the  north-west  to  dear  the  Middle 
GrounJ^    <^'t   out   of  the  reach  of  its   guns.     Terrible 


268  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OB 

Stories  of  the  torpedoes  had  been  told  by  deserters  anil 
refugees,  but  the  admiral's  hopes  had  been  realized  ;  they 
had  been  so  loug  iu  the  water  that  they  had  become 
"  innocuous." 

But  a  new  and  greater  danger  menaced  the  fleet.  The 
rebel  iron-clad  Tennessee  started  out  from  under  the  guns 
of  Fort  Morgan.  She  was  a  formidable  adversary  ;  and 
though  the  monitors  were  depended  upon  to  "  neutralize" 
or  destroy  her,  they  moved  so  slowly  and  steered  so  badly, 
that  the  brunt  of  the  battle  Avas  borne  by  the  woodeu 
ships. 

"  Run  her  down,"  was  the  order  from  the  admiral, 
which  the  signal  officer  interpreted  on  the  quarter  deck 
of  the  Chatauqua. 

Captain  Cascabel  instantly  ordered  full  head  of  steam 
to  be  put  on,  and  the  ship,  gathering  headway,  dashed 
down  upon  the  Tennessee,  striking  her  at  right  angles, 
near  the  after  part  of  the  casemate.  The  shock  of  the 
concussion  was  terrible.  The  men  were  thrown  from 
their  feet,  and  the  ship  groaned  in  bitterness  of  spirit  at 
the  hard  usage  to  which  she  was  subjected.  Her  stem 
was  crushed  in  to  the  plank  ends,  and  the  water  began  to 
pour  into  the  forward  store-rooms.  Expecting  such  an 
event,  the  carpenter  and  his  gang  were  at  the  tlireatencd 
point,  and  prevented  any  disaster  from  the  collision. 

The  effect  upon  the  iron-clad  was  hardly  perceptible, 
giving  her  a  heavy  list,  but  apparently  inflicting  no  dam- 


LIFE    OX    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  2G9 

ftge  upon  her.  The  Chutauqua  swung  round  as  she 
struck.  Captain  Cascabel,  Avho  had  leapuLl  into  tlie 
mizzen  rigging,  gave  his  orders,  which  were  promptly 
executed  by  Mr.  Ilackleford.  Solid  shot  and  shell  were 
poured  into  the  ram  with  a  fury  which  would  have  been 
fatal  to  a  less  strongly  built  craft.  As  it  was,  oue  of  her 
port  shutters  was  struck  and  shattered,  the  rest  of  the 
shot  bounding  off  like  peas  from  an  oak  floor. 

"  Hah,  you  bloody  villains  of  Yankees  !  "  shouted  the 
rebels,  at  their  ports. 

"  How  are  you,  Johnny  Reb?"  replied  a  fore-top  man, 
as  he  hurled  a  spittoon  in  at  the  port. 

Another  old  salt  dashed  in  a  holy-stone,  and  then  the 
marines  opened  fire  upon  them  with  their  muskets. 

"  Ram  her  again  !  "  shouted  the  admiral  from  the  main 
rigging  of  the  Hartford,  as  the  flag-ship  dashed  at  the 
game. 

The  Chatauqua  swept  round,  and  succeeded  in  striking 
the  Tennessee  again,  but  with  no  better  result  than 
before.  At  the  same  time  she  poured  in  shot  and  shell 
from  every  available  gun. 

At  this  moment  one  of  the  ships  struck  the  Hartford, 
')y  accident,  in  the  dense  smoke,  and  knocked  two  of  her 
ports  into  one.  It  was  believed  that  the  flag-ship  would 
go  down,  for  her  planking  was  stove  in  within  two  feet 
of  the  water-line. 

"  Save  the  admiral !  save  the  admiral !  "  shouted  the 
23* 


270  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OB 

men  ;  and  there  was  not  one  of  them  who  would  not 
Luve  died  by  fire  or  water  to  rescue  their  beloved  leader. 

Somers  sprang  upon  the  rail,  to  observe  the  catastro- 
phe, and  to  be  in  readiness  to  save  the  admiral  if  an 
opportunity  occurred.  While  he  stood  there,  a  shot  hit 
the  rail  diagonally,  a  splinter  struck  him  in  the  side,  and 
he  dropped  helpless  into  the  water. 

"  Mr.  Somers  is  wounded  and  fallen  overboard ! " 
shouted  the  captain  of  the  pivot  gun  amidships. 

The  words  were  hardly  out  of  his  mouth,  before 
another  man  dropped  into  the  water  from  one  of  the 
ports.  It  was  Tom  Longstone.  He  found  his  young 
friend,  and  bearing  him  up  with  his  strong  arm,  both 
were  rescued  from  their  perilous  position. 

"  She  shows  the  white  flag  !  She  surrenders  !  "  Avas 
the  cry,  as  the  boatswain  and  Somers  reached  the  deck. 

The  young  officer  Avas  borne  to  the  ward-room  at  the 
moment  of  victory,  while  the  cheers  of  the  brave  tars 
were  ringing  through  the  fleet. 

The  Tennessee  and  the  Selma  had  surrendered,  the 
Gaines  had  been  driven  ashore,  and  the  Morgan  was  for 
the  present  safe  under  the  guns  of  the  fort.  The  victory 
was  complete  and  decisive. 

Somers  was  severely,  if  not  dangerously,  injured.  He 
was  borne  tenderly  to  his  state-room  by  his  brother  offi- 
cers, as  the  cheers  for  the  great  victory  were  sounding 
through  the  fleet.     There  had  been  seven  men  killed  and 


LIFE    OX    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  271 

thirty-five  wounded  on  board  the  Chatauqua.  The  sur- 
geon was  in  the  cockpit,  busily  engaged  in  attending  to 
the  wounds  of  the  poor  fellows,  and  could  not  imiuedi' 
ately  examine  the  young  otficer,  who,  it  was  evident,  re' 
quired  no  surgical  operation. 

The  ship,  though  considerably  cut  up  by  the  shots  from 
the  fort  and  from  the  rebel  steamers,  was  still  in  condition 
for  active  service.  The  fleet  anchored  in  the  bay,  out  of 
the  reach  of  the  guns  of  Fort  Morgan.  Officers  were 
busy  in  making  the  necessary  surveys,  and  the  men  were 
occupied  in  repairing  damages  and  restoring  order  about 
the  decks  and  rigging. 

''How  do  you  feel,  Mr.  Somers?"  asked  Mr.  Ilackle- 
ford,  entering  the  sufferer's  room,  as  soon  as  he  could 
leave  the  deck. 

"  I  do  not  suffer  much  pain,  sir  ;  but  I  am  afraid  I  am 
badly  damaged  in  the  hull,"  replied  Somers,  with  a  lan- 
guid smile. 

He  was  very  pale,  and  lay  very  still.  He  was  numb 
from  the  effects  of  the  shock  given  him  by  the  splinter, 
and  some  of  the  functions  of  his  frame  seemed  to  be  sus- 
pended. The  first  lieutenant  was  alarmed,  and  sent  a 
second  messenger  for  the  surgeon,  who  presently  made 
his  appearance,  having  disposed  of  the  severest  cases  in 
the  cockpit. 

"What  do  you  think  of  him,  doctor?"  asked  Mr. 
Hackleford. 


272  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  I  fear  he  is  badlj  iujured,"  replied  Dr.  De  Plesion. 
shaking  his  head. 

"  Dangerously?"  whispered  the  first  lieutenant. 

The  surgeon  shook  his  head. 

"  Speak  out,  doctor,"  said  the  patient,  faintly.  "  I  am 
not  afraid  to  die  for  my  country.  Please  tell  me  the 
truth." 

"•  I  cannot  tell  yet,  IVIr.  Somers.  Three  of  the  ribs 
are  fractured,  but  if  he  is  not  injured  internally,  he  will 
do  very  well,"  added  the  surgeon,  to  Mr.  Hacklefbrd. 

*'^  I  have  but  little  pain,"  said  the  patient. 

"  You  will  have  more,  Mr.  Somers,  by  night,"  con- 
tinued Dr.  De  Plesion.  '■'■  I  do  not  discover  any  internal 
injury." 

"  I  hope  there  is  none,"  said  the  first  lieutenant. 
"  You  are  too  good  an  oiricer  to  be  spared,  Mr.  Somers, 
—  I  mean  for  even  a  brief  period,  of  course." 

The  report  of  the  surgeon  was  anxiously  awaited  by 
the  captain  and  all  the  ward-room  olhcers,  for  the  third 
lieutenant  had  been  a  universal  favorite,  and  his  captni-e 
of  the  Ben  Lomoad,  and  his  gallant  conduct  during  the 
Action  with  the  forts  and  the  Tennessee,  had  not  dimin- 
ished his  popularity.  Of  all  who  waited  the  doctor's 
decision,  none  took  the  matter  so  much  to  heart  as  the 
boatswain,  who  had  saved  him  from  drowning  while  he 
was  helpless  in  the  water.  Mr.  Ilackleford  noticed  him 
at  his  duty,  still  wet  to  the  skin,  and  kindly  gave  him 
permission  to  visit  his  young  friend. 


LI  WE   ON  THE   QUARTER  DECK.  273 

"  I  shall  not  go  by  the  board,  Tom,"  said  Somers. 
"  You  and  I  may  yet  make  another  cruise  together." 

"  Thank  God  !  I  hope  so,"  exclaimed  the  boatswain, 
encouraged  by  these  cheerful  words. 

"  Tom,  I  owe  my  life  to  you." 

"  O,  never  mind  that,  my  darling  !  What  would  I 
have  done  if  you  had  slipped  your  wind?" 

"  You  would  have  done  your  duty,  as  you  always  do, 
my  good  fellow." 

"  I  dare  say  I  should,  Mr.  Somers,  but  I  can  only 
thank  God  that  you  are  alive  now,"  replied  the  boat- 
swain, as  the  tears  flowed  dowqi  his  bronzed  cheek,  and 
be  turned  to  leave  the  room,  • 


274  BHAVE    OLD    SALT,    O^ 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 


IX    THE    HOSPITAL. 


1 


NDER  the  arrangement  made  by  Admiral  Far- 
ragut  with  the  commander  of  Fort  Morgan,  the 
wounded  of  both  sides  were  sent  in  the  Meta- 
comet  to  Pensacola.  Somers  was  of  the  number,  and  he 
was  borne  from  his  berth  in  the  Chatauqua  to  the 
steamer,  though  the  removal  caused  him  great  pain. 
Tiie  numbness  of  his  side  was  beginning  to  pass  away, 
and  the  parts  to  become  very  sensitive. 

"  Mr.  Somers,  I  am  sorry  to  see  you  in  this  condi- 
tion," said  "  Brave  Old  Salt,"  who  was  present  with  a 
kind  word  for  the  suffering  heroes  of  the  battle.  "■  You 
behaved  nobly  during  the  fight,  as  I  am  told  you  al- 
ways do." 

"  Thank  you,  sir.  You  are  very  kind,"  moaned  Som- 
ers, in  his  pain  and  weakness. 

"  I  have  not  forgotten  you,  my  brave  fellow,"  con- 
tinued the  admiral.  "  The  capture  of  the  Ben  Lomond 
was  a  matter  of  more  consequence  than  you  can  appre- 
ciate, perhaps  ;  and  your  faith  and  skill  in  doing  this 
Work  entitle  you  to  the  gratitude  of  your  country." 


LIFE  ON  THE   QUARTER  DECK.  275 

"  I  am  happy  in  having  merited  your  approbation." 

"  You  have  behaved  gallantly  in  the  action  ;  and,  I 
repeat,  you  shall  be  remembered.  AVhat  can  I  do  for 
you,  Mr.  Somers  ?  " 

'*  Nothing  more  for  me,  admiral.  You  have  dooe  more 
for  me  now  than  I  deserve.  Mr.  Longstone,  the  boat- 
svi^ain  of  the  Chatauqua,  who  saved  my  life  —  " 

^'  I  know  all  about  him,  Mr.  Somers.  He  was  your 
right-hand  man  in  the  capture  of  the  Ben  Lomond," 

"  He  was,  sir." 

"  He  shall  not  be  forgotten." 

"  I  have  already  been  rewarded  more  than  I  de- 
serve —  " 

"  No,  you  haven't.  Mr.  Pillgrim  promised  you  a  lieu- 
tenant's commission,  if  you  brought  out  his  steamer.  I 
ratify  that  promise.  As  to  the  boatswain,  it  is  a  pity  he 
is  not  an  educated  man  ;  but  he  shall  be  cared  for." 

"  Thank  you,  sir." 

But  Somers  was  too  faint  to  talk  any  longer,  and  the 
admiral  passed  to  other  of  the  noble  fellows  who  had 
been  wounded  on  that  eventful  day.  The  sufferer's  cot 
was  placed  on  the  ward-room  floor,  for  the  state-rooms 
and  berths  were  already  full.  In  one  of  them  lay  Ad- 
miral Buchanan,  who  had  commanded  the  rebel  fleet. 
He  had  been  wounded  in  the  leg  in  the  battle,  and  he 
had  lost  the  battle  itself,  which,  to  a  proud,  brave  spirit, 
was  worse  than  losing  a  leg.  RBG 

NcU 


276  BRAVE   OLD   SALT,    OR 

Somers  was  now  suffering  the  most  intense  pain,  which 
he  bore  like  a  hero.  Tom  Longstone  bent  tenderly  over 
him,  his  eyes  filled  with  tears,  and  uttered  his  adieus. 
With  a  hand  as  gentle  as  a  woman's,  he  pillowed  his 
head  on  the  couch,  and  smoothed  back  his  hair  from  his 
eyes.  He  would  gladly  have  gone  with  his  wounded 
friend,  to  lave  his  fevered  brow  and  speak  words  of  com- 
fort and  encouragement  to  him ;  but  neither  of  them 
thought  of  such  a  thing,  for  the  admiral's  fleet  was  in  the 
enemy's  waters,  and  every  man  was  needed  at  his  post. 

The  Metacomet,  having  received  her  precious  freight 
of  mangled  heroes,  cast  off  her  moorings,  and,  passing 
the  fort,  turned  her  prow  to  the  eastward.  On  her 
arrival  at  Pensacola,  the  sufferers  were  transferred  to 
the  hospital,  where  they  received  every  attention  which 
willing  hands  and  generous  hearts  could  bestow. 

Fort  Morgan  surrendered  to  the  combined  forces  of 
the  army  and  navy  before  the  end  of  the  month,  and 
Mobile  Bay  was  in  undisputed  possession  of  the  govern- 
ment. The  work  undertaken  by  the  brave  admiral  had 
been  fully  completed.  Mobile  was  now  a  cipher,  so  far 
as  the  Confederacy  was  concerned,  though  a  great  bluster 
was  made  of  defending  it  to  the  last. 

Somers  had  been  three  weeks  in  the  hospital,  and 
doubtless  owed  his  life  to  the  skill  of  the  surgeon  and 
the  attentions  of  the  nurses.  He  had  been  injured  inter- 
nally, as  Dr.  De  Plesion  feared ;  but  be  had  begun  t<i 


LIFE    OX    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  277 

improve,  though  he  was  still  unable  to  sit  up.  He  had  eu- 
durcd  the  severest  pain,  and  the  doctor  had  not  concealed 
from  him  his  fears  of  a  fatal  result,  because  the  patience 
and  firmness,  but  especially  the  religious  faith,  of  the  suf- 
ferer warranted  him  in  doing  so. 

Day  after  day  and  night  after  night  Somers  struggled 
with  his  condition,  in  faith,  patience,  and  resignation. 
He  felt  tnai  ne  A\as  ready  to  leave  the  world,  full  of  joys 
anu  nopes  as  it  was,  for  the  purer  liopes  and  brighter 
joys  ot  the  eternal  world  beyond  the  grave.  He  thought 
ot  his  mother,  and  wished  that  she  might  be  with  him  to 
smooth  his  dying  pillow,  if  he  must  die  ;  but  it  was  not 
the  will  of  God,  and  he  did  not  murmur.  He  thought 
of  Kate  Portington.  He  would  like  to  see  her  once 
more  before  he  passed  away,  but  this  was  a  vain  wish ; 
and  from  her  and  the  loved  ones  at  home  he  turned  to 
the  glorious  realities  of  the  immortal  life  —  fitting  theme 
for  one  who  was  trembling  between  life  and  death. 

In  tlie  midst  of  his  pain  and  earthly  loneliness  he  was 
happy.  He  could  not  but  recall  the  scene  of  Phil  Ken- 
nedy's deatl)-bed  ;  of  the  agony  of  remorse  which  shook 
him,  as  he  looked  back  upon  his  past  life  ;  of  the  terrors 
with  which  his  stricken  conscience  invested  the  grave. 
Then  the  sufierer,  in  the  deepest  depths  of  his  heart, 
thanked  God  that  he  had  been  enabled  to  be  true  to  him- 
self and  to  duty.  He  was  happy  in  the  past,  happy  in 
Mie  liope  of  ilic  future.  Tliere  was  much  to  regret  and 
24 


278  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

to  repent  of;  but  as  he  did  regret  and  repent,  he  felt  thai 
he  was  forgiven. 

He  was  happy  ;  and  the  joy  of  tliat  hour,  Avhen  an 
approving  conscience  triumphs  over  bodily  pain,  and 
decks  the  waiting  tomb  witli  flowers,  Avas  Avorth  the 
struggle  with  the  legions  of  temptations  Avhich  all  must 
encounter. 

We  are  best  fitted  to  live  when  best  prepared  to  die. 
Somers  waited  with  hope  and  resignation  for  the  pnTel 
of  death,  but  he  came  not.  The  very  palmness  with 
which  he  regarded  the  open  tomb,  assisted  in  closing  its 
portals  to  him.  At  the  end  of  two  weeks  the  doctor 
spoke  more  of  life  than  of  death  ;  at  the  end  of  three  be 
spoke  not  at  all  of  the  grim  messenger  —  grim  lie  Avas, 
e\'en  Avhen  he  wore  the  chaplet  of  floAvers  with  Avhich 
Faith  and  Hope  ever  crown  him. 

Somers  was  out  of  danger.  The  internal  inflamma- 
tion passed  away,  and  the  patient  began  to  mend.  He 
thought  of  life  now,  of  meeting  the  loved  ones  Avho,  afar 
off,  had  sadly  spoken  farcAvells  to  him  when  he  departed 
from  their  presence,  with  all  the  fearful  perils  of  storm 
and  battle  hanging  over  him. 

On  the  day  after  the  neAvs  of  the  surrender  of  Fort 
]SIorgan  ari-ived,  the  Chatauqua  dropped  her  anchor  oflf 
Pensacola.  A  boat  immediately  put  oflf  from  her,  con^ 
taining  BoatsAvain  Longstone,  Avho  lauded,  and  hastened 
to  the  hospital  with  all  possible  speed.     Probably  there 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  279 

had  hardly  been  an  hour  since  the  Metacomet  left  Mobile 
Bay  with  the  wounded,  in  whirh  Tom  hud  not  thou-ht  of 
Somers.  The  old  man  Avas  as  eager  and  impatient  as  a 
child,  and  could  hardly  submit  to  the  formalities  neces- 
sary to  procure  admission  to  the  hospital. 

"  My  darling  !  "  exclaimed  the  veteran,  as  he  crept  up 
to  the  bed  of  his  young  friend. 

He  walked  lightly,  and  spoke  softly  and  tenderly,  for 
he  knew  how  sick  Somers  had  been. 

''  Ah,  Tom,  I  am  glad  to  see  you,"  replied  the  patient, 
as  he  extended  his  thin  hand,  which  the  boatswain 
eagerly  seized,  though  he  handled  it  as  tenderly  as  a 
bashful  youth  dows  the  hand  of  the  maiden  he  loves. 
"  It  does  my  eyes  good  to  look  upon  you,  Tom." 

"  Jack,  I've  been  dying  to  see  you.  They  told  me 
you  were  in  a  bad  way,  and  might  slip  your  cable  any 
moment." 

"  I  have  not  expected  to  live,  until  a  week  ago." 

"  God  bless  you.  Jack  !  I  was  never  so  happy  in  my 
life  ;  "  and  the  boatswain  actually  wept,  —  great,  strong, 
weather-stained  veteran  as  he  was,  who  had  breasted  the 
storms  of  four  and  thirty  years  on  the  ocean. 

"  I  know  how  you  feel,  Tom." 

"  So  you  may.  Jack,  —  I  beg  pardon,  Mr.  —  " 

"  Call  me  Jack,  now,"  interposed  Somers,  with  a  faini 
emile  ;  "  it  sounds  like  old  times.  You  have  been  the 
making  of  me,  Tom,  and  we  won't  stand  on  ceremony 
fta  lonff  as  we  are  not  on  board  the  shin." 


Jr,SO  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

The  boatswain  still  held  the  attenuated  hand  of  liis 
sick  friend,  and  they  talked  of  the  past  and  of  the  pres- 
ent ;  of  the  battle,  and  of  the  subsequent  events  in  the 
bay.  But  Tom  Longstone  seemed  to  be  thinking  all  the 
time  of  something  else. 

"  What  have  you  got  on,  Tom?  "  asked  Somers,  as  he 
noticed  a  "'  foul  anchor"  ou  his  shoulder,  and  a  band  of 
gold  lace  on  his  sleeve. 

"  AVhat  have  I  got  on  ?  Why,  I  always  wear  my 
colors,  of  course,"  replied  Tom,  v/ith  a  smile  of  the  deep- 
est satisfaction. 

"  But  those  are  not  the  colors  of  a  boatswain  in  the 
United  States  Navy." 

"  That's  a  fact.  Jack.     I'm  not  a  boatswain,  just  now." 

"  Indeed !  '* 

"  I'm  an  acting  ensign." 

"  Is  it  possible  ?  "  exclaimed  Somers,  not  less  pleased 
than  the  veteran. 

"  It's  a  fact,  my  darling  ;  but  before  we  spin  any  more 
yarns,  here's  a  document  for  you.  Shall  I  open  it?"  con- 
tinued Tom,  as  he  took  from  his  breast  pocket  a  huge 
official  envelope,  whose  appearance  was  entirely  familiar 
to  Somers. 

"  If  you  please." 

It  was  directed  to  "  Lieutenant  John  Somers  ; "  and 
the  superscription  sutrjciently  indicated  the  nature  oi  ita 
contents. 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  281 

*'  God  bless  the  admiral !  "  said  Somers. 

"  God  bless  the  admiral !  "  repeated  Tom,  glancing 
reverently  upward  as  he  spoke. 

The  commission  was  dated  before  the  news  of  the  bat- 
tle in  Mobile  Bay  could  have  reached  Washington.  It 
followed  the  reception  of  the  despatches  concerning  the 
capture  of  the  Ben  Lomond  ;  and  Tom  Lougstone  had 
been  made  an  acting  ensign,  though  he  still  retained  his 
warrant  as  a  boatswain,  for  his  conduct  in  the  same 
affair. 

"  I  congratulate  you,  Tom,  on  this  promotion,"  said 
Somers. 

"  Thank  you.  Jack  ;  and  I  congratulate  you  as  Lieu- 
tenant Somers.  You  are  a  '  regular,'  but  I'm  only  au 
'  acting,'  "  replied  the  veteran.  "  When  the  war's  over, 
I  shall  be  a  boatswain  again." 

"  I  am  more  rejoiced  for  you  than  for  myself,  Tom." 

"  Just  like  you.  Jack.  If  I  made  you,  I'm  sure  you 
made  me.  I  got  my  rating  as  boatswain's  mate  in  the 
Rosalie  through  you,  and  then  I  was  made  a  boatswain 
for  what  I  did  with  you.  Now  I'm  an  ensign  by  your 
doings.     I  suppose  you  think  I'm  not  up  to  it.  Jack." 

"  Yes,  I  do.  I  know  you  are.  There's  nothing  about 
a  ship  that  you  don't  know  as  well  as  the  admiral  him- 
Belf,  except  —  " 

"  Except,"  laughed  Tom,  as  Somers  paused,  "  except 
what?" 


282  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  Navigation.'' 

"  I  know  something  about  that,  Jack  —  I  do,  upon  xaj 
honor." 

"  I  do  not  doubt  it." 

"  When  I  first  went  into  the  navy,  I  was  a  regular 
sea  dandy.  I  used  big  words,  as  long  as  the  coach- 
whip  ;  but  I  soon  found  a  man  must  not  talk  above  his 
station.  When  I  was  a  young  man,  I  wasn't  a  bad 
scholar.  I  went  to  the  academy,  and  learned  surveying ; 
I  meant  to  be  a  surveyor ;  but  I  got  a  hitch,  and  went 
to  sea." 

"A  hitch?'* 

"  Well,  I  never  mention  it  now.  Squire  Kent's  daugh- 
ter didn't  treat  me  as  handsomely  as  she  did  another 
young  fellow,  and  I  drank  more  liquor  than  was  good  for 
me.  I  got  run  down  ;  and  when  I  had  payed  out  all  the 
respectability  I  had,  I  went  to  sea.  That  cured  me  of 
drinking ;  in  fact,  I  became  a  temperance  man  before 
the  grog  rations  were  stopped  in  the  navy.  As  I  said,  I 
was  pretty  well  educated,  and  talked  as  well  as  the  offi- 
cers on  the  quarter  deck.  But  my  shipmates  laughed  at 
me,  and  I  soon  dropped  down  into  using  sea  slang." 

"  I  have  noticed  that  your  speech  has  been  wonder- 
fully improved  since  you  were  made  a  boatswain.'' 

"  I've  been  trying  to  cure  my  bad  habits.  F'^'e  been 
lying  round  loose  in  the  navy  for  thirty  years  before  the 
war  began.     I  tried  to  be  honest  and  true,  but  the  war 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  283 

has  set  me  right  up.  I  haven't  told  you  the  best  of  the 
news  yet,  Jack." 

"What  more?" 

"  You  are  appointed  to  the  Ben  Lomond  as  prize 
master,  and  I'm  going  with  you  as  second  officer.  The 
admiral  says  you  shall  take  the  prize  home,  if  she  has  tc 
wait  two  months  for  you.  She  is  yours,  and  you  shall 
have  the  command  of  her." 

"  He  is  very  kind  ;  but  I  do  not  think  I  shall  be  able 
to  take  command  at  present." 

"  We  are  to  go  as  soon  as  the  doctor  will  let  you  be 
carried  on  board  of  her.  Jack,  the  Ben  Lomond  is 
going  into  the  navy  ;  and  if  I  mistake  not,  she  will  be  in 
command  of  Lieutenant  Somers." 

"  That  would  be  the  height  of  my  ambition.  Indeed, 
I  never  aspired  to  anything  so  great  as  the  command  of 
a  fine  steamer." 

"  You'll  have  her  ;  the  admiral  is  your  fi'iend.  If  you 
do,  I  shall  be  in  the  ward-room.  Splinter  my  timber- 
heads  !  Only  think  of  that  I  Tom  Longstone  a  ward- 
room officer !  " 

"  You  deserve  it,  Tom." 

In  the  course  of  the  week,  other  officers  of  the  Cha- 
tauqua  visited  the  patient,  and  at  the  end  of  that  period 
the  doctor  permitted  Somers  to  be  conveyed  on  board  the 
Ben  Lomond. 


284  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 

MISS    PORTINGTON    NOT    AT    HOME. 

(V'j  A ILLGRIM  and  Langrlon  had  been  in  close  con- 
finement at  Pensacola  since  their  capture,  "rhey 
were  now  placed  on  board  of  the  Ben  Lomond 
to  be  sent  north.  An  apartment  was  specially 
fitted  up  for  their  use  in  the  steerage,  for  they  were 
regarded  as  dangerous  men,  to  whom  bolts,  bars,  and 
other  obstacles,  were  but  trifling  impediments.  A  suffi- 
cient number  of  marines  to  guard  them  Avere  detailed  for 
duty  on  the  passage,  and  the  steamer  sailed  for  Boston, 
where  the  prize  was  to  be  adjusted. 

Somers  was  now  improving  very  rapidly,  and  before 
he  left  the  hospital,  had  sat  up  a  small  portion  of  each 
day.  The  pleasant  intelligence  brought  to  him  by  Tom 
Longstone  had  not  retarded  his  recovery  ;  on  the  con- 
trary, the  bright  liopes  of  the  future  which  it  suggested, 
rather  stimulated  his  feeble  frame,  and  assisted  in  his 
restoration  to  health. 

The  steamer  had  fine  weather  on  the  passage,  with  the 
•xception  of  a  gale  of  thirty  hours'  duration.     She  put 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  285 

into  Hampton  Ronds,  and  landed  lior  prisoners  at  For- 
tress Monroe,  in  acoordance  v/itli  the  orders  of  her 
commander,  and  tlien  proceeded  to  Boston.  The  Ik-n 
Lomond  behaved  remarkably  well  iu  the  heavy  weather 
she  experienced,  proving  herself  to  be  a  strongly-built 
and  substantial  vessel.  Somers  sent  his  despatches  to 
Washington  from  Fortress  Monroe. 

When  the  Ben  Lomond  sailed  into  Boston  Harbor, 
Somers  was  able  to  go  on  deck,  for  with  each  day  of  the 
voyage  his  health  had  continued  to  improve.  The 
steamer  was  duly  handed  over  to  the  naval  authorities, 
and  the  young  lieutenant  was  granted  a  furlough  of 
sixty  days. 

"  Our  cruise  is  up,"  said  Tom  Longstone,  when  the 
business  luid  been  completed. 

"  For  the  present,  v.-e  have  nothing  to  do  ;  but  I  hope 
we  shall  soon  receive  our  order.^,"  replied  Somers. 
"  Now,  Tom,  you  will  go  down  to  Pinchbrook  with  me, 
and  spend  a  couple  of  months." 

"  Thank  you,  Jack  ;  I  hardly  think  I  should  know  how 
to  behave  in  a  house  on  shore,  it  is  so  long  since  I  have 
been  in  one." 

"  You  will  soon  learn." 

They  went  to  Pinchbrook,  an"!  Tom  received  a  wel- 
come almost  as  cordial  as  that  extended  to  Somers.  The 
veteran  was  soon  made  entirely  at  home  by  his  young 
friend's   father,  and  such    a  ''  spinning    of  yarns "  for 


286  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

thirty  days  had  never  been  known  before,  Tom  told  a 
story  of  the  Cumberland ;  then  Captaia  Somers  had  a 
West  India  yarn  ;  and  gran'ther  Greene  was  indulgently 
permitted  to  relate  his  experience  in  the  "  last  war," 
though  it  was  observed  that  the  old  man,  whose  memory 
was  much  impaired,  always  told  the  same  story. 

Never  did  a  happier  trio  gather  around  a  kitchen  fire 
than  that  which  sat  around  the  cook-stove  at  Pinchbrook 
on  those  autumn  mornings.  Very  likely  Mrs.  Somers 
thought  the  "  men  folks  "  Avere  in  the  way  at  times  ;  but 
she  was  too  much  interested  in  the  stories  told,  and  too 
good  natured  to  raise  an  objection,  especially  when 
John  joined  the  party. 

In  the  mean  time,  Somers  was  rapidly  regaining  his 
health  and  strength.  As  may  be  supposed,  he  was  a 
lion  in  Pinchbrook,  and  was  invited  to  every  party  and 
every  merry-making  in  the  place.  Captain  Barney  was 
with  him  a  great  deal,  and  was  as  fond  of  him  as  though 
he  had  been  his  own  son.  Of  course  the  young  ladies  of 
Pinchbrook  regarded  the  lieutenant  as  a  great  man  ;  and 
if  it  had  not  been  known  in  town  that  he  was  "  paying 
attention "  to  a  commodore's  daughter,  he  might  have 
been  absolutely  persecuted  by  the  fair  ones  of  his  native 
village. 

In  strict  observance  of  his  promise,  Somers  had  written 
several  letters  to  Kate  Portington,  but  had  received  no 
answer.     These  epistles,  with  the  exception  of  an  occa- 


LIFE    OX    THE    QUARTER   DECK.  287 

sioual  playful  remark,  were  confined  to  the  details  of  his 
naval  operations.  The  events  of  his  career  were  faith- 
fully recorded,  and  they  were  in  no  sense  such  produc- 
tions as  many  silly  young  men  would  have  written  under 
similar  circumstances,  ^no  answer  to  any  of  them  had 
been  received.  '^ 

Since  his  arrival  at  Pinchbrook,  Somers  had  written 
two  letters  ;  but  at  the  end  of  the  first  month  of  his  fur- 
lough, he  had  not  heard  a  word  from  Kate.  He  was 
troubled,  and  no  doubt  thought  Kate  was  very  cold  and 
cruel.  He  knew  that  Pillgrim  had  not  seen  her,  and 
therefore  could  not  have  prejudiced  her  against  him.  It 
Avas  possible  that  his  letters  had  not  reached  their  desti- 
nation ;  Kate  might  be  away  from  home  ;  and  he  was 
not  willing  to  believe  that  anything  had  occurred  to  make 
her  less  friendly  to  him  than  formerly. 

Somers,  as  we  have  so  often  had  occasion  to  represent 
him,  was  always  in  favor  of  "  facing  the  music."  If 
there  was  anything  the  matter,  he  wanted  to  know  it. 
If  the  lady  wished  to  discontinue  the  acquaintance,  he 
wanted  to  know  that ;  and  when  he  could  no  longer  con- 
tent himself  in  Pinchbrook,  with  the  question  unsettled, 
he  started  for  Newport.  On  his  arrival  he  proceeded  at 
once  to  the  residence  of  Commodore  Portington.  With 
a  firm  hand  he  rang  the  bell  —  in  surprising  contrast 
with  his  first  visit,  for  now  he  was  firm  and  decided. 

The  servant  informed  him  that  Miss  Portin;^ton  was  at 


288  BRAVE    OZD    SALT,    OR 

home,  and  he  sent  up  his  card.  Somevs  sat  nervously 
waiting  the  issue.  Presently  the  servant  returned  and 
handed  him  a  card,  on  which  was  written,  "  Miss  Por- 
tington  is  not  at  home  to  Mr.  John  Sonters." 

He  was  confounded  by  this  cool  reply.  Though  her 
present  conduct  was  in  accordance  with  the  unanswered 
letters,  he  had  not  expected  to  be  thus  rudely  repelled. 
If  she  had  any  objection  to  him,  why  didn't  she  tell  him 
so?  He  had  done  his  duty  to  his  country,  and  kept  his 
promises  to  her.  It  was  the  severest  blow  he  had  ever 
received. 

He  read  the  card,  rose  from  his  chair,  and  lefl  the 
house,  as  dignified  as  though  he  had  been  on  the  quarter 
deck  of  the  Ben  Lomond.  He  was  too  proud  to  ask  or 
to  offer  any  explanations.  We  will  not  undertake  to  say 
how  bad  he  felt.  Perhaps  he  wished  he  had  died  in  the 
Pensacola  hospital,  Avhen  he  lay  at  death's  door  ;  perhaps 
he  felt  like  rushing  into  the  hottest  of  a  fight,  and  laying 
down  his  life  for  the  cause  he  had  espoused,  without 
thinking  that  this  would  be  suicide,  rather  tlaan  a  gen- 
erous sacrifice  to  a  holy  duty. 

Mr.  Pillgrim  had  informed  him  that  he  would  meet 
with  a  "chilly"  reception.  It  was  even  worse  than 
\l.at ;  but  as  it  was  evidently  caused  by  the  traitor's 
r^iachinations,  he  was  content  to  suffei'.  If  she  chose  to 
let  the  words  of  the  wretched  conspirator  against  his 
country  bias  her  against  him,  he  could  not  help  it  ;  and 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  289 

his  only  remaining  duty  was  to  submit  with  the  best  pos- 
sible grace. 

Of  course  he  could  not  leave  NeAvport  without  calling 
at  the  Naval  Academy.  Mr.  Revere,  the  commandant 
of  midshipmen,  was  his  firm  friend,  and  it  would  be 
treason  to  him  to  leave  the  city  without  seeing  him.  He 
was  cordially  received,  and  his  experience  in  Mobile  Bay 
was  listened  to  with  the  most  friendly  interest. 

"  I  need  not  ask  you  if  you  have  been  to  Commodore 
Portington's,"  said  Mr.  Revere. 

"  I  have,  sir." 

"Well,  how  is  Miss  Portington?" 

"  I  did  not  see  her,"  replied  Somers,  who,  conscious 
that  he  had  done  no  wrong,  was  not  disposed  to  conceal 
his  misfortune  from  so  good  a  friend. 

"  Did  not  see  her  !  "  exclaimed  the  commandant. 

Somers  explained. 

The  story  of  Pillgrim's  treason  had  been  circulated, 
but  the  particulars  by  which  it  had  been  exposed  were 
known  to  only  a  few.  Mr.  Revere  saw  at  onca  the  cause 
of  the  rupture. 

"The  villain  has  sent  her  the  bond  you  signed," 
said  he. 

"  Perhaps  he  has." 

"  Probably  she  knows  nothing  of  the  circumstances 
under  which  you  signed  it." 

"  I  have  had  no  opportunity  to  explain." 
25 


290  PnAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  But,  Somers,  you  musu't  be  too  stiff.  Auy  lady 
would  be  fully  justified  in  refusing  to  see  a  gentleman 
who  signed  a  paper  like  that,  which  contained  her  nam© 
in  such  a  connection." 

"  I  think  so  myself;  and  therefore  I  will  not  blame 
her." 

"  Pillgrim  got  you  to  sign  that  document  for  this 
very  purpose." 

"  I  surmised  as  much." 

"  But  it  is  a  wrong  to  the  lady  as  well  as  to  you,  to 
permit  this  thing  to  go  on." 

"  I  have  no  remedy." 

"  Write  her  a  note,  explaining  your  position." 

"  My  motives  would  be  misconstrued." 

"^  Then  I  shall  act  for  you." 

Somers  went  to  his  hotel,  and  Mr.  Revere  did  act  it  for 
him.  Kate  was  not  satisfied.  A  high-minded  man 
would  have  died  rather  than  sign  such  a  paper.  So 
would  Somers,  if  the  bond  had  any  real  meaning.  The 
commandant  was  not  successful  in  the  negotiation,  as 
mediators  seldom  are  in  such  cases. 

"  I  am  satisfied,  Mr.  Revere,"  said  Somers  :  but  he 
was  as  far  from  satisfied  as  a  young  man  could  be. 

"  There  is  no  help  for  it ;  but,  Somers,  I  have  invitei 
a  few  friends  to  my  house  this  evening,  and  you  must  bi 
Vith  us." 

"  Will  Miss  Portingtou  be  there  ?  " 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  291 

"  She  has  been  invited,  with  her  mother," 

"  I  will  go,"  replied  he,  still  carrying  out  his  prin- 
ciple that  it  is  always  best  to  "  face  the  music." 

He  did  go.  The  few  friends  were  about  fifty  —  to 
celebrate  the  birthday  of  the  commandant's  lady.  There 
were  music,  and  dancing,  and  revelry  ;  and  Kate  Porting- 
ton  was  there,  with  her  mother.  He  saw  the  fair  girl ; 
saw  her  smile  as  pleasantly  and  unconcernedly  as  though 
nothing  had  happened.  He  met  her  face  to  face  ;  she 
bowed  coldly,  and  passed  on.  Mrs.  Portington  was  not 
quite  so  "  chilly,"  but  not  at  all  as  she  had  been  in 
former  times. 

"•  Mr.  Somers,  we  shall  always  remember  you  with 
gratitude,  for  the  service  you  so  kindly  rendered  us," 
said  she. 

"  It  is  hardly  worth  remembering,  madam,  much  less 
mentioning,"  replied  Somers. 

"  It  shall  always  be  gratefully  remembered,  and  cor- 
dially mentioned.  You  cannot  yourself  regret  more  than 
I  do,  that  anything  should  have  occurred  to  disturb  the 
pleasant  relations  which  formerly  existed." 

"  I  regret  it  very  much,  madam  ;  but  as  I  think  I 
have  done  my  duty  to  my  country  and  to  my  friends,  I 
must  regret  it  without  reproaching  myself  for  my  conduct 
in  that  which  has  proved  so  offensive." 

"  Was  it  your  duty  to  sign  that  vile  paper?  "  asked  the 
lady,  in  excited  tones. 


292  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"  I  thiuk  it  was." 

"  I  must  take  a  different  view  of  the  matter  ;  but,  Mr. 
Somers,  I  shall  still  be  interested  in  your  success." 

"  Thank  you,  madam." 

And  the  lady  passed  on.  Somers  looked  at  Kate. 
She  was  dancing  with  a  young  officer  who  had  greatly 
distinguished  himself  in  the  waters  of  North  Carolina. 
She  looked  happy.  Was  she  so  ?  She  certainly  had  a 
wonderful  command  of  herself  if  she  was  not.  Somers 
retired  at  an  early  hour. 

Did  Kate  thiuk  he  was  an  adventurer?  His  superior 
officer  had  directed  him  to  sign  the  bond,  as  a  "■  war 
measure."  He  had  done  so  with  regret  and  disgust. 
The  paper  meant  nothing  to  him.  Why  should  it  mean 
anything  to  her  and  her  mother? 

The  next  day,  Somers  returned  to  Pinchbrook,  where 
he  found  certain  official  documents  in  the  post  office, 
directed  to  him.  He  was  appointed  to  the  command  of 
the  Firefly,  which  was  the  new  name  given  by  the  de- 
partment to  the  Ben  Lomond.  The  steamer  had  been 
duly  condemned,  and  purchased  by  the  government,  her 
great  speed  admirably  adapting  her  as  a  cruiser  for  rebel 
pirates.  Somers  was  generously  rewarded  for  his  zeal 
and  success  in  the  capture  of  the  twin  steamers,  which 
had  been  intended  to  prey  on  the  commerce  of  the 
country. 

Acting  Ensign  Longstone  was  appointed  second  lieu- 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  293 

tenant  of  tlie  Firefly.  The  third  and  fourth  lieutenants, 
and  the  sailing  master,  were  acting  ensigns,  like  Tom 
Lougstone. 

All  was  excitement  now  at  the  cottage  in  Pinchbrook, 
ID  anticipation  of  Somers's  departure.  A  lieutenant  com- 
manding was  a  higher  position  than  he  had  ever  hoped 
to  obtain  ;  but  even  while  he  rejoiced  over  his  bright 
future,  he  could  not  help  being  *'  blue  "  over  his  affair  at 
Newport,  He  tried  to  forget  the  fair  lady,  but  he  found 
tlxat  was  not  an  easy  matter.  He  devoted  himself  to  the 
fitting  up  of  the  Firefly,  spending  part  of  his  time  at 
Pinchbrook,  till  his  orders  came  from  Washington.  A 
kind  word  from  Kate  would  have  made  him  the  happiest 
man  in  the  world.  As  that  did  not  come,  he  went  to  sea 
without  it. 

25* 


294  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 


CHAPTEK    XXVIII. 

THE    BEN    LEDI. 

,  ^^'l±Ei  Firefly  had  been  strengthened  and  otherwise 
/'I  improved  for  the  purpose  to  which  she  was  to  be 
\^y  applied.  Her  armament  had  been  changed,  to 
adapt  it  to  the  standard  of  the  United  States  naVy. 
She  now  carried  a  hundred  pounder  rifle  amidships,  a 
rifled  thirty  on  her  forecastle,  four  twenty-four  pounders 
on  the  broadsides,  and  two  howitzers  on  the  quarter 
deck.  The  cabin,  ward-room,  and  steerage  remained  as 
before. 

It  was  a  pleasant  November  day  —  in  the  full  rei^^n 
of  the  Indian  summer  —  when  she  went  down  the  har- 
bor. Somers  stood  on  the  quarter  deck,  as  dignified  as 
the  commander  of  a  man-of-war  should  be,  but  he 
could  hardly  repress  the  feeling  of  pride  and  exultation 
with  which  he  regarded  his  position.  He  Avas  hardly 
twenty-one,  though  he  was  mature  enough  in  appearance 
and  in  judgment  for  twenty-five.  He  had  realized  the 
warmest  hope  he  had  permitted  himself  to  cherish.  He 
was  in  command  of  a  beautiful  vessel,  with  a  hundred 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER   DECK.  295 

officers  and  men  under  his  charge.  He  was  the  supreme 
authority  ;  every  man  on  board  touched  his  cap  to  him. 

Below  was  a  cabin,  appropriated  wholly  to  his  use, 
where  he  could  live  as  luxuriously  as  a  lord.  He  had  no 
watch  to  keep,  no  work  to  perform.  As  he  contemplated 
his  position,  he  was  absolutely  amazed.  He  had  hoped, 
but  not  expected,  to  reach  this  pinnacle  of  his  ambition. 
But  there  was  another  side  to  the  question.  A  fearful 
responsibility  was  imposed  upon  him.  The  lives  of  his 
hundred  men  depended  upon  him.  This  valuable  steam- 
er, with  her  armament  and  stores,  Avas  intrusted  to  him, 
and  he  must  account  for  all  loss  or  waste  on  board  of 
her.  More  than  this,  the  honor  of  the  flag  under  which 
he  sailed  had  been  committed  to  him.  If  he  lost  his 
ship  by  bad  management,  it  would  be  his  ruin.  If  he 
permitted  the  ensign  which  floated  at  his  peak  to  be  dis- 
graced, it  would  be  infamy  to  him. 

In  the  public  service  he  might  have  occasion  to  run 
into  foreign  ports,  or  to  visit  neutral  waters.  His  want 
of  knowledge,  or  his  want  of  judgment,  might  entangle 
his  country  in  perplexing  broils  with  other  nations,  or 
even  invt,lve  her  in  another  war.  As  he  thought  of  his 
delicate  and  difficult  duties,  he  felt  like  shrinking  Iroia 
them,  and  avoiding  the  immense  responsibility.  Being 
"  captain,"  in  this  view,  was  quite  a  different  thing  from 
what  he  had  anticipated. 

With  a  smile  he  recalled  his  own  reflections,  when,  as 


296  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

an  ordinary  seaman,  he  had  observed  the  captain  of  hi 
ship  walk  the  deck.  Then  he  had  thought  the  com^ 
mauder  had  the  easiest  and  jolliest  time  of  all  the  men  on 
board,  with  his  fine  cabin  all  to  himself,  and  no  watch  to 
keep,  and  apparently  no  work  to  do.  From  his  present 
stand-point,  the  captain  occupied  the  most  difficult  and 
trying  place  in  the  ship,  and  he  almost  wished  he  had 
declined  the  command  oftered  to  him. 

Outside  the  bay,  the  sealed  orders  were  opened.  As 
he  had  anticipated,  he  was  ordered  to  cruise  in  search  of 
rebel  steamers,  who.se  depredations  on  the  coast  had 
severely  tried  the  patience  of  the  nation.  Pie  was 
directed  to  proceed  first  to  the  eastward,  and  then  to  u&e 
his  own  judgment.  There  were  several  rebel  privateers, 
or  naval  vessels  belonging  to  the  Confederacy.  The 
Tallahassee,  the  Chickamauga,  and  the  Olustee  had  been 
the  most  mischievous  ;  and  it  was  believed  that  there 
were  others  at  Wilmington,  and  the  neutral  ports  of  New 
Brunswick,  Nova  Scotia,  and  the  West  Indies. 

Having  learned  where  he  was  to  go,  and  what  he  was 
to  do,  he  went  on  deck  and  gave  his  orders  to  Mr.  Gam- 
age,  the  fii'st  lieutenant.  The  Firefly  was  headed  to  the 
north-east,  and  all  sail  set  to  help  her  along.  Before 
Somers  went  below,  she  logged  fifteen  knots,  which  was 
splendid  for  a  ship  with  her  bunkers  full  of  coal. 

In  the  evening  the  young  commander  invited  Tom 
Longstone  to  visit  his  cabin.     The  veterap   was  iu  Juis 


LIFE  ON  THE  QUARTER  DECK.  297 

happiest  frame  of  mind.  All  the  aspirations  of  his  ear- 
lier years  seemed  to  have  been  rekindled  in  his  soul ;  he 
had  abandoned  the  use  of  slang,  and  conducted  himself 
60  much  like  a  gentleman,  outwardly,  that  no  one  could 
have  suspected  he  had  spent  thirty  odd  years  of  his  life 
before  the  mast ;  but  as  he  had  always  been  a  gentleman 
at  heart,  it  was  comparatively  easy  for  him  to  assume 
the  externals  of  his  new  profession. 

The  old  man  had  donned  a  new  uniform  ;  and  though 
his  hair  and  beard  were  iron  gray,  he  looked  as  "spruce" 
as  a  dry  goods  clerk.  Ko  change  of  dress,  however, 
could  make  him  any  other  than  an  "  old  salt."  He 
walked  with  a  rolling  gait,  and  had  all  the  airs  of  a 
veteran  seaman.  It  is  true  that  in  the  transposition 
from  the  forecastle  to  the  wurd-room  he  had  discarded 
"  pigtail,"  and  confined  himself  to  "  fine  cut,"  taken 
from  a  silver  box  ;  but  he  still  used  as  much  of  the 
"  weed "  as  an  old  sheet-anchor  man. 

"  You  sent  ibr  me.  Captain  Somers,"  said  the  second 
lieutenant,  as  he  touched  his  foretop,  from  the  force  of 
iiabit. 

'"  Sit  down,  Mr.  Longstone,"  said  the  captain.  "  It 
is  one  of  the  blessings  of  my  present  position  that  I  have 
a  place  to  sit  down  and  talk  with  old  friends.  I  suppose 
you  know  we  are  bound  to  the  eastward  in  search  of 
rebel  privateers." 

"  So  Mr.  Gamage  told  me,  sir.  I  hope  we  shall  catch 
eome  of  them." 


298  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

"So  do  I ;  but  I'm  afraid  we  are  on  a  wild-goose 
fhasc." 

"Perhaps  not  —  at  least,  I  hope  not.  If  there  is  a 
rebel  ship  in  these  waters,  we'll  have  her,  if  we  have  to 
dive  after  her." 

"■  The  ocean  is  very  broad.  None  of  our  ships  have 
had  much  luck  in  catching  these  rebel  pirates.  I  would 
rather  have  gone  down  on  the  blockade,  where  there  is 
some  show  for  us." 

"  Don't  give  it  up,  Captain  Somers." 

"  I  don't  give  it  up  ;  but  I  do  not  see  any  reason  why 
I  should  be  more  fortunate  than  others.  A  score  of  our 
^hips  have  cruised  for  months  without  catching  a  single 
one  of  them." 

"  They  didn't  look  where  they  were,"  laughed  Tom. 

"  If  I  knew  Avhere  they  Avere,  I  would  look  there." 

"  You  will  certainly  catch  one  of  the  pirates.  Captain 
Somers." 

"•  Why  do  you  say  so  ?  " 

"  Because  you  are  smart,  and  you  are  lucky.  I  know 
you  will  make  a  capture  on  this  cruise.  I  feel  it  in  my 
bones." 

"•  I  hope  I  shall.  "Wouldn't  it  be  glorious,  if  I  could 
send  such  a  despatch  as  Captain  AViuslow  did,  after  he 
had  sunk  the  Alabama  ?  " 

Somers's  eyes  glistened  as  he  thought  of  it,  but  it  was 
only  an  air-castle  ;  and  after  he  had  contemplated  it  ibr 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  299 

A  moment,  his  commoQ  seuse  obliged  him  to  come  dowu 
from  the  clouds. 

The  cruise  of  the  Firefly  would  supply  matter  enough 
for  a  whole  volume,  but  we  have  only  space  for  a,  mere 
outline  of  the  voyage.  The  steamer  lay  off  and  on  for  a 
week  without  meeting  with  anything  that  looked  like  a 
rebel  privateer,  when  her  commander  decided  to  run  into 
Halifax,  where  he  hoped  to  obtain  some  information. 
The  city  was  a  nest  of  "  secesh  sympathizers,"  and  the 
captain  of  the  Firefly  was  not  received  with  much  en- 
thusiasm outside  of  the  American  consulate.  He  had 
not  been  in  the  habit  of  hearing  his  country  and  her 
rulers  vilified,  and  as  he  sat  in  the  parlor  of  the  hotel, 
and  listened  to  hostile  remarks,  evidently  intended  for 
his  ear,  nothing  but  prudence  prevented  him  from  indulg- 
ing in  the  luxury  of  pulling  the  noses  of  the  speakers. 
He  preserved  his  dignity  in  spite  of  his  inclination. 

"  Upon  my  word,  this  is  a  very  unexpected  pleasure," 
said  a  familiar  voice. 

He  looked  up  from  the  newspaper  he  was  reading. 
Before  him  stood  Mr.  Pillgrim  ! 

"  Quite  as  unexpected  to  me  as  to  you,  Mr.  Pillgrim  ! " 
replied  Somers,  with  abundant  self-possession. 

"  I  dare  say,  Mr.  Somers,"  laughed  Pillgrim.  "  Of 
course  you  did  not  expect  to  see  me.  "Will  you  take  a 
glass  of  wine  with  me,  Mr.  Somers?" 

"  No,  I  thank  you  ;  I  never  indulge  —  as  you  ar« 
aware," 


300  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    Oli 

"  I  didn't  know  but  your  rapid  advancement  had 
changed  your  tastes." 

"  No,  sir." 

"  You  command  the  Ben  Lomond  now,  Mr.  Somers,  } 
learn  from  tlie  papers." 

"  The  Firefly  is  her  present  name." 

"  Bah  !  What  an  ugly  name  for  a  fine  steamer  like 
her.  The  Tallapoosa  is  much  better.  Be  that  as  it 
may,  I  congratulate  you  on  j'-our  promotion  and  your 
appointment ;   and  you  know  how  sincere  I  am  !  " 

"  I  do  know  ;  and,  therefore,  cannot  even  thank  you 
for  your  good  wishes." 

"  Don't  be  savage,  Mr.  Somers.  You  can  afford  to 
be  very  good-natured." 

"  I  am." 

"  You  don't  seem  to  be  very  glad  to  see  me." 

"  On  the  contrary,  I  am.  I  hope,  with  your  usual 
candor,  that  you  will  tell  me  what  you  are  going  to  do 
next,  and  give  me  an  opportunity  to  cut  out  your  vessel. 
I  am  up  here  for  that  purpose." 

Pillgrim  bit  his  lip. 

"  At  present,  Mr.  Somers,  I  must  be  silent ;  but  we 
shall  yet  meet  and  settle  up  old  accounts.  Let  us  not  b© 
ill-natured.     If  Ave  meet  as  enemies,  Ave  will  fight  it  out." 

"  AVe  can  neA'er  meet  in  any  other  Avay." 

"  That  isn't  friendly.     IIoav  is  Miss  Portington?" 

"  She  Avas  Avell,  last  time  I  saAV  her  ;  "  and  Somera 
blushed,  and  l^yoked  disconcerted  —  as  he  really  Avas. 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUAnTER    nECK.  o'o'l 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  it,  Mr,  Somers,"  said  Pillgrir.i, 
Bignificautly. 

Somers  changed  the  topic  at  once,  and  finally  contrived 
to  ask  the  traitor  how  he  happened  to  Le  in  Halifax, 
instead  of  Fortress  Monroe.  Pill<rrim  laughed  exidt- 
ingly,  and  declared  there  were  no  ii'ons,  bolts,  or  bai'S 
tha,t  could  keep  him  a  prisoner  ;  and  'he  facts  seemed  to 
justify  the  assertion. 

"  Mr.  Somers,  not  more  than  ona  half  of  the  people 
of  the  North  are  in  favor  of  tliiy  cruel  war.  I  have 
friends  in  Washington  and  other  cities  whom  no  on3 
suspects  of  favoring  the  South.  I  am  indebted  to  them 
for  my  liberation.  I  shall  yet  '.-arry  out  my  original  pur- 
pose. I  have  lost  three  vessels.  I  was  paid  for  two  by 
the  Confederacy ;  and  I  huve  your  bond  for  half  the 
value  of  the  third,  I  am  a  commander  in  the  Confed- 
erate navy.  In  one  wtek  I  .<hall  be  at  sea.  I  shall 
sink,  burn,  and  destroy*  1     Yru  can't  help  yourself." 

"  Is  your  ship  her^j?  " 

"Yes  — no." 

Pillgrim  laugKi^d,  turned  ou  his  heel,  and  walked 
away.  Somers  was  excited.  He  wanted  to  know  more. 
He  went  to  tLe  American  consul.  A  •'  blue-nose  "  sailor 
of  the  Firefly  was  sent  on  shore,  who  found  Pillgrim, 
and  without  much  difficulty  shipped  in  the  "  Sunny 
South  "  for  a  voyage  on  the  coast.  This  was  all  the 
information  that  could  be  obtained.  There  was  no  such 
26 


302  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

craft  as  the  Sunny  South  iu  port.  Somers  examined  all 
the  vessels  in  the  harbor,  and  found  a  steamer  called  the 
Ben  Ledi  —  another  Scottish  mountain.  She  Avas  Clyde- 
built,  and  similar  to  the  Ben  Nevis  and  the  Ben  Lomond. 
The  name  alone  satisfied  the  inquirer  that  she  belonged 
to  the  same  family  as  the  two  vessels  lie  had  already 
captured. 

Things  began  to  look  a  little  more  hopeful,  and  the 
young  commander  carefully  read  his  books  on  interna- 
tional law.  He  attempted  to  place  the  Firefly  where  he 
could  watch  the  suspected  steamer  ;  but  the  authorities, 
on  various  pretences,  prevented  him  from  doing  so.  The 
next  morning  the  Ben  Ledi  was  gone.  Somers  was  ex- 
ceedingly mortified,  for  he  might  as  well  look  for  a  needle 
in  a  haymow  as  try  to  find  the  vessel  on  the  ocean.  He 
put  to  sea  at  once.  A  "  blue-nose  "  official  laughed  at 
him  as  his  gig  pulled  off  to  the  ship,  and  everybody  on 
shore  was  iu  high  glee  because  the  Confederate  had 
eluded  the  Yankee. 

Somers  kept  cool  in  spite  of  his  chagrin ;  and  believ- 
ing the  Ben  Ledi  would  run  for  Wilmington,  where  she 
would  probably  be  fitted  out  as  a  cruiser,  he  headed  th» 
Firefly  in  that  direction,  and  gave  chase. 


LIFE   ON   THE    QUARTER    DECK.  303 


CHAPTER     XXIX. 


A    LONG    CHASE. 


OMK'Ko  was  somewhat  bewildered  bj  the  events 
which  LaJ  transpired  during  his  brief  stay  at 
Halifax.  It  was  almost  incredible  that  Pillgrim 
had  again  escaped  ;  but  the  traitor  had  powerful  friends  — 
men  who  appeared  to  be  loyal  while  they  were  in  full 
sympathy  with  the  leaders  of  the  rebellion.  The  three 
"  Bens,"  the  last  of  which  was  now  fleeing  before  hiJ^, 
■were  certainly  an  interesting  family.  Pillgrim,  while 
abroad,  and  operating  for  the  Southern  Confederacy,  had 
apparently  purchased  a  whole  line  of  Clyde-built  steam- 
ers. Two  of  them  were  now  in  good  hands,  and  doing 
good  service  to  the  loyal  cause  ;  but  Sorners  feared  that 
th.e.  third  would  escape  him. 

Pillgrim  had  learned  prudence  from,  the  .experience,  of 
the  past.  Somers  hoped  he  would  indulge  in  his  custom- 
ary reckless  boasting  ;  that  his  thirst  for  revenge  would 
again  lead  him  to  betray  liims'ilf ;  but  he  liad  not  dropped 
even  a  hint  that  could  be  of  any  service.  The  decoy 
seaman    had   only  learned   tl  at   he    was  to    sail  in    the 


304  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    Olt 

*'  Sunny  South."  The  sudden  departure  of  the  Ben 
Ledi  was  the  only  important  fact  in  possession  of  the 
commander  of  the  Firefly. 

When  the  ship  was  well  out  of  the  bay,  and  her  course 
laid  down,  Somers  went  into  his  cabin  to  consult  his 
charts,  and  consider  a  plan  for  future  operations.  Unfor- 
tunately there  was  no  information  on  which  to  base  a 
theory  in  regard  to  the  pirate's  course.  He  could  only 
guess  at  her  destination.  The  Firefly  was  run  at  her 
best  speed  during  the  rest  of  the  day,  but  her  course 
for  a  large  portion  of  the  time  was  through  a  dense 
Nova  Scotia  fog,  and  nothing  was  seen  or  heard. 

On  the  following  day,  the  sun  shone  through  a  clear 
air,  and  at  noon  there  was  seen,  dead  ahead,  some  evi- 
dences of  black  smoke  in  the  horizon.  This  was  a  hope- 
ful sign,  for  there  was  a  steamer  burning  English  coal  in 
the  direction  indicated.  It  might  be  the  Ben  Ledi,  and 
it  might  not ;  but  the  appearance  created  a  tremendoua 
excitement  on  board  the  Firefly. 

"  Captain  Somers,  you  will  have  her,"  said  Tom  Long- 
stone,  placing  himself  by  the  side  of  the  young  com- 
mander.    "It  is  your  luck." 

"  That  may  not  be  the  steamer  we  are  after.  We 
haven't  seen  her  yet." 

"  That's  the  Ben  Ledi  ;  you  may  depend  upon  it.  I 
wouldn't  give  five  cents  to  any  man  to  guarantee  my 
share  of  prize  money  in  her." 


LIFE    Oy    THE    QUAUTEn   DECK.  305 

**  Don't  be  too  confident,  Mr.  Longstone." 

*'  She  is  ours,  Captain  Somers." 

*'  I  wisli  I  could  believe  it." 

''  You  must  believe  it,  and  Avork  for  it." 

"  I  shall  certainly  work  for  it." 

And  he  did  work  for  it.  Everything  that  would  adH  a 
fraction  of  a  knot  to  the  speed  of  the  Firefly  was  done. 
The  black  smoke  was  visible  all  the  rest  of  the  day,  but 
not  a  sight  of  the  steamer  from  which  it  proceeded  could 
be  obtained.  Darkness  settled  down  upon  the  ocean, 
and  nothing  could  be  seen  during  the  night.  The  next 
day  was  cloudy,  and  there  was  not  a  sign  of  encourage- 
ment to  those  on  board  of  the  pursuing  vessel.  Then 
came  a  gale  of  twenty  hours'  duration  ;  but  the  Firefly 
held  her  course,  and  proved  herself  to  be  a  perfect  sea 
boat. 

The  fourth  day  out  from  Halifax  was  fine,  and  shortly 
after  sunrise  the  cloud  of  black  smoke  was  again  dis- 
covered, and  a  thrill  of  delight  coursed  through  the 
veins  of  Somers  as  he  discovered  it.  The  steamer  was 
on  the  port  bow  now,  but  it  was  evident  that  both  steam- 
ers were  bound  to  the  same  point,  though  their  courses 
had  slightly  varied  during  the  gale. 

"  I  told  you  so,  Captain  Somers  ! "  exclaimed  Lieuten- 
ant Longstone,  as  he  rubbed  his  hands  briskly  in  view  of 
the  bright  prospect. 

"  We  haven't  caught  her  yet,  Mr.  Longstone." 
26* 


306  BRAVE  OLD  SALT,   OR 

"But  you  Avill  catch  her,  just  as  sure  as  the  suiv 
shines." 

"  Mr.  Pillgrim  will  not  allow  himself  to  be  taken." 

"  lie  cannot  help  himself." 

"  Perhaps  he  can.  That  steamer  sails  as  well  as  the 
Firefly,  and  we  are  not  a  hundred  and  fifty  miles  from 
Cape  Fear." 

"  No  matter ;  we  have  got  ten  hours' working  time, 
and  we  shall  use  her  up.  Shall  we  put  the  helm  to  st§.r- 
board.  Captain  Somers  ?  " 

"No;  keep  her  as  she  is,"  replied  the  commander. 
"  If  she  is  going  into  "Wilmington  we  shall  be  making 
something  on  this  tack.  We  have  the  weather-gage  of 
her." 

It  was  soon  clearly  demonstrated  that  the  chase  had 
"  slowed  down,"  so  as  not  to  approach  the  coast  before 
night  should  favor  her  operations,  though  her  great  speed 
gave  her  every  advantage  over  an  ordinary  pursuer. 
The  Firefly  had  run  down  so  that  the  Ben  Ledi  was  on 
her  port  beam,  about  eight  miles  distant.  Both  steam- 
ers had  hoisted  English  colors,  for  Somers  had  no  idea 
of  being  .cheated  out  of  the  game  by  "showing  his 
hand." 

The  most  intense  excitement  prevailed  on  board  of  the 
Firefly,  for  it  was  evident  that  a  few  hours  more  would 
settle  the  question  one  way  or  the  other.  Somers  was 
not  disposed  to  wait  until  night,  which  would  favor  the 


LIFE   ON   THE  QUARTER  DECK.  307 

chase  more  than  himself ;  and  he  was  afraid,  if  he  headed 
towards  her,  that  she  would  take  the  alarm  and  beat  him 
on  time.  He  kept  quiet  for  a  couple  of  hours,  just  as 
though  he  were  waiting  for  the  darkness  to  cover  him  in 
running  the  blockade. 

His  plan  seemed  to  be  a  success,  for  after  a  while  the 
Ben  Ledi  began  to  bear  down  upon  him.  It  was  an 
anxious  hour  for  Somers.  He  ordered  the  first  lieu- 
tenant to  beat  to  quarters,  and  the  chief  engineer  to  have 
on  a  full  head  of  steam.  The  guns  were  loaded  with 
solid  shot,  and  every  preparation  made  for  an  exciting 
time.  Pillgrim  did  not  seem  to  suspect  thus  far  that  tha 
steamer  uuder  English  colors  Avas  the  one  he  had  left  in 
Halifax  harbor.  It  was  certain  that  he  did  not  yet 
recognize  her. 

The  Firefly  reciprocated  the  attention  of  the  Ben  Ledi^ 
and  moved  slowly  towards  her,  for  Somers  was  carefuJ 
not  to  excite  suspicion  by  being  precipitate.  The  two 
steamers  approached  within  three  miles,  and  the  respec- 
tive captains  were  busy  in  examining  each  other's  ship 
through  their  glasses.  The  chase  now  hoisted  her  num- 
ber. As  Somers  had  the  Lloyd's  signal  book,  he  read  it 
without  difficulty.  It  was  the  Ben  Ledi.  To  the  ques- 
tion, "  What  ship  is  that  ?  "  he  had  no  answer  to  give, 
for  it  was  not  prudent  to  hoist  the  old  number  of  the 
Ben  Lomond. 

Our  younger  readers  may  not  understand  how  a  coo* 


808  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

versation  is  carried  on  between  ships  at  sea,  several  miles 
distant  from  each  other.  There  are  ten  small  signal  flags 
representing  the  nine  digits  and  the  zero.  Any  number 
can  of  course  be  formed  of  these  figures.  Every  ship  is 
provided  with  a  number,  which  if  it  consists  of  two 
figures  is  represented  by  two  flags,  hoisted  together ; 
three  figures,  three  flags  ;  and  so  on. 

The  signal  book  also  contains  a  great  number  of  ques- 
dons  and  answers,  such  as,  "What  ship  is  that?" 
"  Where  bound  ?  "  "  All  well."  "  Short  of  water,"  «fec. 
Each  sentence  has  its  invariable  number,  which  may  be 
indicated  by  the  signal  flags.  If  one  vessel  shows  the 
number  124,  the  captain  of  the  ship  sigualized  would  find 
this  number  in  his  signal  book  ;  and  against  it  Avould  be 
printed  the  question  or  answer. 

Somers  was  not  disposed  to  reply  to  the  question  of 
Pillgrim  ;  and  as  he  did  not  do  so,  the  traitor  immediately 
took  the  alarm.  The  Ben  Ledi  went  about,  and  made 
ofi"  to  the  eastward  under  full  steam.  The  Firefly  was 
all  ready  to  follow,  and  then  commenced  a  most  exciting 
chase.  It  was  useless  to  waste  shot  at  that  distance,  and 
Somers  confined  his  attention  to  the  speed  of  his  vessel. 
For  three  hours  the  pursuit  was  continued,  without  any 
perceptible  decrease  of  the  distance  between  the  two 
steamers. 

But  it  was  soon  discovered  that  Pillgrim  was  gradually 
wearing  round.     Somers  perceived  his  intention,  but  it 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER   DECK.  309 

was  not  prudent  to  attempt  to  cut  him  off  all  at  onco,  b^ 
taking  the  arc  of  a  smaller  circle  ;  but  he  worked  hig 
ship  slowly  round ;  and  when  both  vessels  were  headed 
to  the  west,  he  had  gained  a  mile.  Pillgrim  had  evi- 
dently made  up  his  mind  to  go  into  Wilmington  at  any 
risk,  though  under  ordinary  circumstances  the  more  pru- 
dent course  would  have  been  for  him  to  continue  at  sea, 
wliere  a  dark  night  or  a  fog  might  have  enabled  him  to 
elude  his  pursuer.  Somers  concluded,  therefore,  that  the 
Ben  Ledi  was  short  of  coal,  for  his  own  supply  was 
nearly  exhausted. 

Tlie  furnaces  of  the  Firefly  were  now  worked  to  their 
utmost  capacity,  and  every  expedient  to  make  steam  was 
resorted  to  by  the  excited  engineers  and  firemen.  Tliere 
was  a  stiff  breeze  from  the  south-west,  and  both  vessels 
had  crowded  on  every  stitch  of  canvas  that  could  be 
spread.  It  had  already  been  demonstrated  that  there 
was  no  appreciable  difference  in  the  speed  of  the  two 
steamers,  and  the  result  of  the  chase  was  to  depend  en- 
tirely upon  the  management  of  each. 

When  the  two  vessels  had  come  about  so  as  to  make  a 
fair  wind,  the  Firefly  had  been  the  first  to  spread  her 
canvas,  and  the  superior  discipline  of  her  crew  was  thus 
made  apparent.  A  slight  advantage  had  thus  been 
gained,  and  it  was  certain  that  "  the  balance  of  power"  lay 
in  the  sails.  At  meridian  an  observation  was  obtained, 
ftud  the  position  of  the  ship  was  accurately  laid  down  on 


510  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

the  chart.  The  latitude  was  33°  59'  7"  ;  the  longitude 
76°  20'  23".  'to  make  the  Swash  Channel,  which  was 
covered  by  the  guns  of  Fort  Fisher,  the  Ben  Ledi  would 
have  laid  a  course  about  half  a  point  south  of  west ;  but 
her  present  course  was  west-south-west.  Somers,  after 
examining  his  chart,  had  some  doubts  whether  she  was 
going  into  Wilmington. 

Tom  Longstone  had  the  deck  during  the  afternoon 
watch.  He  was  a  veteran  seaman,  and  his  experience 
had  made  him  more  familiar  with  canvas  than  with 
steam.  With  the  most  anxious  solicitude  he  watched 
the  sails  during  the  afternoon,  and  under  his  skilful 
directions  they  vi^ere  kept  perfectly  trimmed.  On  that 
momentous  occasion  everything  was  reduced  down  to 
the  finest  point,  as  well  in  the  handling  of  the  engine  a3 
the  tacks,  sheets,  and  halliards. 

The  case  was  hopeful,  though  the  gain  could  not  be 
perceived  in  one,  or  two,  hours  ;  but  at  eight  bells  hardly 
a  mile  lay  between  the  contending  steamers.  The  first 
lieutenant  wanted  to  open  on  the  chase  with  the  rifled 
gun  on  the  top-gallant  forecastle  ;  but  Somers  refused  per- 
mission, for  while  he  was  gaining  on  the  Ben  Ledi  only 
in  inches,  he  could  not  afford  to  lose  feet  by  the  recoil  of 
the  gun,  until  there  was  a  better  chance  of  hitting  the 
mark.  At  two  bells  in  the  first  dog  watch,  just  as  the 
eun  Avas  setting,  the  Ben  Ledi  doubled  Frying  Pan 
Shouls,  passing   close   to   the  breakers.     Then,    as    her 


LIFE    ON    THE   QUARTER    DECK.  311 

people  discovered  a  couple  of  vessels  belonging  to 
the  blockading  squadron,  she  sheered  off,  and  went  to 
the  westward. 

These  changes,  with  the  doubt  and  uncertainty  which 
prevailed  on  board  of  the  Ben  Ledi,  had  been  very  favor- 
able to  the  Firefly,  now  within  half  a  mile  of  her.  Two 
vessels  from  the  blockading  fleet  had  started  to  engage  in 
the  exciting  work,  but  they  were  too  late  to  help  or 
hinder  the  pursuit.  Somers  gave  the  order  to  fire  upon 
the  Ben  Ledi,  which  was  now  endeavoring  to  work  round 
to  the  Beach  Channel. 

Though  the  darkness  had  settled  down  upon  the  chase, 
the  Firefly  continued  the  pursuit  with  unabated  vigor. 
Her  pilot  was  familiar  Avith  the  channels,  bars,  and 
shoals.  Shot  after  shot  was  fired  at  the  Ben  Ledi,  and 
it  was  soon  evident  that  one  of  them  had  in  some  way 
damaged  her  Avheels,  for  she  was  rapidly  losing  ground. 
But  now  a  battery  on  Oak  Island  suddenly  opened  on  the 
Firefly. 

"  We  must  end  this  thing,"  said  Somers,  as  a  shot 
from  the  fort  Avhizzed  over  his  head. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  replied  the  first  lieutenant.  "  We  can 
hardly  pass  that  battery." 

"  Try  the  himdred  pounder." 

When  the  pivot  gun  was  ready,  the  Firefly  swung 
round,  and  the  heavy  piece  roared  out  its  salutation  to 
the  blockade  runner.     It  was  aimed  by  Tom  Longstone, 


312  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

and  the  bolt  struck  tlie  Ben  Ledi  square  in  the  stern, 
breaking  in  her  counter,  and  leaving  her  helpless  on  the 
water.  The  Firefly  stopped  her  wheels.  A  shot  from 
the  fort  crushed  through  her  smoke-stack. 

The  chase,  completely  disabled,  drifted  on  the  beacli 
and  grounded,  under  the  guns  of  the  battery.  The  Fire- 
fly now  poured  shell  into  her  from  every  gun  that  could 
be  brought  to  bear.  In  a  few  moments  a  sheet  of  flame 
rose  from  her,  and  lighted  up  the  channel  for  miles 
around,  clearly  revealing  to  the  gunners  in  the  fort  the 
exact  position  of  Somers's  vessel. 

The  work  had  been  accomplished,  the  Ben  Ledi  had 
been  destroyed,  and  the  Firefly  hastened  to  escape  from 
her  dangerous  locality.  In  coming  about  she  poured  a 
parting  broadside  into  the  burning  steamer.  As  she 
swung  round,  a  hail  from  the  water  was  heard,  and  a 
boat  containing  several  men  was  discovered.  It  had 
been  carried  by  the  tide  away  from  the  beach.  The 
occupants  were  taken  on  board,  though  one  of  them  was 
wounded  and  uttei'ly  helpless.  They  had  no  oars,  and 
were  in  danger  of  being  carried  out  to  sea. 

"  Here's  the  cap'u  ;  he  was  hit  by  a  piece  of  a  shell," 
said  one  of  the  men. 

"  Who  is  he?  "  asked  Somers. 

"  Cap'n  Pillgrim." 

The  sufferer  was  taken  down  into  the  ward-room,  and 
the  surgeon  began  to  examine  him  as  the  Firefly  steamed 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER   DECK.  313 

down  the  channel  under  a  shower  of  shot,  and  shell  from 
the  battery. 

"  How  is  he?  "  asked  the  young  commander,  when  the 
ship  had  passed  out  of  the  reach  of  the  guns  of  the  fort. 

"  He  is  dead  !  "  replied  the  surgeon. 

"  Dead !  Good  Heaven  !  "  exclaimed  Somers,  im- 
pressed by  the  terrible  retribution  which  had  at  last 
overtaken  the  traitor. 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  he  died  a  few  moments  since.  A  fragment 
of  a  shell  tore  open  his  breast  and  penetrated  his  lungs," 
added  the  surgeon. 

"  That's  the  last  of  him,"  said  Lieutenant  Longstone. 
"  He  will  lay  no  more  plots." 

"  He  has  been  a  dangerous  enemy  to  his  country," 
continued  Somers.  "  If  he  had  succeeded  in  running  in 
with  that  vessel,  he  would  have  obtained  her  armament, 
and  made  terrible  havoc  among  tlie  merchant  ships  on 
the  coast.  He  was  a  daring  fellow  ;  he  Avas  reckless  at 
times.  He  told  me  on  board  of  the  Chatauqua  that  ha 
had  purchased  three  steamers  in  8(;otland  ;  this  is  the 
last  one." 

"  Three  Bens,"  added  Tom.  "  Captain  Somers,  you 
have  had  a  hand  in  capturing  and  destroying  them  all." 

"  I  have  ;  and  it  is  really  marvellous,  when  I  think 
of  it." 

"  I  knew  you  would  capture  the  Ben  Ledi,"  continued 
the  second  lieutenant,  exultingly. 
27 


8l4  BltAVE  OLD  SALT,   OR 

"  I  did  not  capture  her." 

"  It  is  the  same  thiug." 

"■  You  will  not  find  it  so  when  your  prize  money  is 
distributed." 

"  A  fig  for  the  prize  money,"  replied  Tom,  contempt- 
uously. "  We  destroyed  her  ;  and  it's  all  the  same  thing. 
I  would  rather  have  had  that  villain  hanged  than  killed 
by  an  honest  shell ;  but  there  is  no  help  for  it  now." 

"  Peace,  Mr.  Longstone  ;  he  is  dead  now.  We  have 
nothing  more  to  do  with  him." 

The  body  of  Mr.  Pillgrim  was  laid  out  in  a  proper 
place,  and  as  the  coal  bunkers  of  the  Firefly  were  nearly 
empty,  she  was  headed  for  Port  Royal,  where  she  arrived 
on  the  afternoon  of  the  following  day.  On  the  passage, 
the  men  from  the  Ben  Ledi,  who  had  been  picked  up  in 
the  boat,  were  examined  in  regard  to  their  knowledge  of 
her  ultimate  use.  One  of  the  party  was  an  intelligent 
English  seaman,  who  acknowledged  that  he  lia;d  shipped, 
for  the  Confederate  navy,  iu  the  Sunny  South,  which 
was  to  be  the  new  name  of  the  Ben  Ledi.  She  had 
waited  a  month  at  Halifax  for  orders.  Langdon  was  not 
on  board  of  her,  and  the  seaman  had  no  knowledge  of 
Any  such  person. 

The  Firefly  had  not  been  seen  on  board  the  Sunny 
South  until  both  steamers  were  off  Wilmington.  After 
passing  Frying  Pan  Shoals,  a  shot  from  the  F'irefly  had 
partially  crippled  her  port   wheel,   which    accident    had 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  315 

caused  her  to  lose  ground  rapidly.  The  projectile  from 
the  hundred  pounder  had  completely  shattered  her  stern, 
and  disabled  her  rudder,  and  knocked  the  engine  "  all  in 
a  heap."  The  port  quarter  boat  was  torn  to  pieces  by  a 
shell,  the  same  which  had  given  Pillgrira  his  mortal 
wound.  The  after  tackle  of  the  other  quarter  boat  had 
been  shot  away,  and  when  it  was  dropped  into  the  water 
the  oars  were  gone.  Most  of  the  crew  had  saved  them- 
selves by  swimming  ashore.  The  Ben  Ledi  had  a  valu- 
able cargo,  which  the  informer  declared  was  totally  de- 
stroyed by  fire  or  Avater. 

On  her  arrival  at  Port  Royal,  the  Firefly  coaled  with- 
out delay ;  the  body  of  Pillgrim  Avas  buried,  and  after 
forwarding  his  despatches  to  the  navy  department  by  a 
supply  steamer,  Somers  sailed  again  on  another  cruise 
after  privateers,  Confederate  cruisers,  and  blockade  run- 
ners. The  Tallahassee  and  the  Chickamauga  were  sup- 
posed to  be  at  Wilmington,  but  the  Olustee  was  believed 
to  be  still  afloat.  Of  this  cruise  our  limits  do  not  permit 
us  to  record  details  ;  but  the  Firefly  captured  a  valuable 
(Steamer  in  December,  and  sent  her  into  port.  This  was 
the  only  prize  she  obtained  ;  and  being  short  of  coal,  she 
Tan  into  Boston,  on  New  Year's  day,  where  her  prize 
had  arrived  before  her. 

Somers  immediately  forwarded  his  despatches,  and 
awaited  the  orders  of  the  department.  Of  course  he 
hastened  down  to  Pinchbrook  as  soon  as  he  could  leavft 


316  HEAVE   OLD   SALT,   OR 

the  ship,  where  he  was  heartily  welcomed  and  warmly 
congratulated  upon  his  successful  cruise. 

"  Here's  something  for  you,  John,"  said  Mrs.  Somers, 
taking  a  daintily  made  up  letter  from  the  mantel-piece, 
when  the  welcome  had  been  given,  kisses  bestowed,  and 
hands  shaken.     "  It  has  been  here  a  fortnight." 

Somers  knew  the  handwriting,  for  it  had  often  glad- 
dened his  heart  before,  and  a  flush  came  to  his  cheeks  as 
he  tore  open  the  envelope.  It  was  from  Kate  Portington, 
whom  the  young  commander  had  not  failed  to  think  of 
every  day  during  his  absence,  though  it  was  with  pain 
and  sorrow  at  the  rupture  which  had  separated  them. 
The  letter  healed  his  only  wound. 

"  I  shall  never  forgive  myself,"  she  wrote,  "  for  my 
harsh  treatment  of  you  ;  and  I  am  afraid  you  can  never 
forgive  me.  I  have  seen  Mr.  Hackleford,  who  says  that 
he  ordered  you  to  sign  that  horrible  paper.  Why  didn't 
you  tell  me  so,  John  ?  "  He  would  have  told  her  so,  if 
she  had  given  him  an  opportunity.  But  she  was  repent- 
ant, and  Somers  was  rejoiced. 

The  letter  was  four  pages  in  length,  and  among  all  the 
pleasant  things  it  contained,  the  pleasantest  was  that  she 
was  spending  a  month  in  Boston,  at  the  residence  of  a 
friend,  where  she  hoped  to  see  him. 

She  did  see  him  there,  on  the  very  day  he  received  the 
letter.  What  passed  between  them  we  are  not  at  liberty 
to  say  in  a  book  of  this  kind,  except  to  inform  the  reader 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  317 

that  Kate  was  herself  again  ;  that  in  the  joy  ef  meeting 
him  after  this  painful  rupture,  she  actually  forgot  to 
be  proper,  and  in  spite  of  her  promise,  and  her  moth- 
er's lecture,  she  called  him  "  prodigy."  The  past,  the 
present,  and  the  future,  were  discussed,  and  Somers  went 
on  board  *i^e  Fir-^fly  the  happiest  of  mortals. 

3r  * 


318  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OS 


CHAPTER    XXX. 

THE    END    OF    THE    REBELLION. 

/^^jfc''HE  Firefly,  with  her  energetic  young  commander, 
■  I  ^^^  ^'^^  serviceable  to  be  permitted  long  to  re- 
\^_ly  main  in  idleness,  and  she  was  ordered  to  join 
Admiral  Porter's  squadron,  which  had  failed  to  capture 
Fort  Fisher  in  December  ;  or  rather,  the  military  portion 
of  the  expedition  had  failed  to  do  it,  for  the  navy  had 
done  its  part  of  the  work  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  nation. 
Somers  sailed  again,  and  in  due  time  reported  to  the 
admiral,  who  was  then  waiting  for  the  army,  in  order  to 
make  the  second  attack.  A  tremendous  gale  delayed  the 
expedition  ;  but  on  the  13th  of  January,  the  bombard- 
ment of  Fort  Fisher  was  commenced,  and  the  military 
force  was  landed  on  Federal  Point.  A  detachment  of 
sailors  from  the  Firefly,  under  the  command  of  Lieuten- 
ant Longstone,  was  sent  on  shore  to  join  the  naval 
brigade,  and  the  steamer  was  variously  employed  during 
the  action,  rendering  valuable  aid  with  her  hundred 
pounder,  as  well  as  performing  various  duties,  for  which 
her  great  s,peed  and  light  draught  peculiarly  fitted  her. 


LIFE   ON   THE   QUARTER  DECK.  319 

The  zeal  and  energy  of  Somers  were  warmly  commended, 
though  he  had  no  opportunity  to  render  any  signal  service 
in  the  attack. 

Fort  Fisher  fell  this  time  ;  every  man  and  every  ship 
was  faithful  ;  and  though  some  were  distinguished  by 
gallant  exploits,  the  victory  was  the  result  of  the  steadi- 
ness of  the  whole  line,  rather  than  of  the  brilliant  deeds 
of  the  few.  The  last  maritime  stronghold  of  the  rebel- 
lion was  reduced,  and  the  sinking  Confederacy  was  shut 
in  from  all  material  support  from  abroad.  Its  days  were 
numbered,  and  many  of  its  most  rabid  supporters  were 
now  crying  out  for  peace. 

The  flag  of  the  Uuion  floated  over  Fort  Fisher,  and 
the  great  fleet  before  its  shattered  ramparts  celebrated 
the  victory  with  clouds  of  gay  flags,  with  flights  of  rock- 
ets, and  with  salvos  of  artillery.  It  was  a  glorious  day 
for  that  expedition.  Admiral  Porter  and  General  Terry 
won  a  glorious  fame  and  an  unfading  name  upon  the 
annals  of  their  country. 

Gallant  old  Tom  Longstone  was  wounded  in  the  arm 
in  an  attempt  to  rally  the  sailors  when  they  broke  under 
the  most  terrible  fire  that  mortal  men  ever  breasted. 
Lieutenant  Longstone  did  all  that  any  officer  could  do, 
but  the  whole  garrison  seemed  to  be  gathered  at  the 
point  where  the  naval  assault  was  made.  The  sailors 
were  repulsed  and  driven  back.  They  had  never  been 
disciplined   to  this  kind  of  work ;  yet  they  fought  like 


820  Bit  AVE    OLD    SALT,    Oli 

tigers,  haBcl  to  liaud  oftentimes,  with  the  foe ;  and 
though  they  were  forced  buck,  even  while  the  Aniei  ican 
flag  was  floating  over  the  other  side  of  the  works,  it  was 
no  disgrace  to  them.  Tom  stood  by  to  the  last,  though 
he  was  severely  wounded,  and  finally  had  the  satisfaction 
of  beholding  a  complete  triumph.  The  soldiers  did  won- 
ders on  that  day  —  the  sailors  hardly  less. 

With  other  vessels  of  light  draught  the  Firefly  w^ent 
up  the  river,  fishing  up  torpedoes,  transporting  soldiers, 
and  hammering  down  rebel  batteries,  and  continued  upon 
this  duty  until  General  Terry  marched  into  the  deserted 
city  of  Wilmington,  and  raised  the  national  flag  where 
the  emblem  of  treason  had  insulted  the  free  air  for  four 
long  years. 

The  Firefly  was  ordered  to  the  James  River,  in  the 
vicinity  of  whicli  the  last  groan  of  the  expiring  monster 
of  Kebellion  was  soon  to  be  heard  ;  and  on  the  20th  of 
March  she  was  on  her  winding  way  up  the  stream.  In 
the  mean  time  Charleston  had  fallen  ;  negro  troops  pa- 
trolled her  streets,  and  the  people  of  this  foul  nest  of 
secession  were  suffering  the  ago;iies  of  actual  subjuga- 
tion. Sherman,  with  his  grand  army,  was  "  marching 
on"  in  his  resistless  course,  with  hardly  a  foe  to  impede 
his  exultant  march.  Columbia,  the  proud  capital  of 
arrogant  South  Carolina,  yielded,  and  the  people  re- 
pented their  folly  in  the  ashes  of  the  burning  city. 
Johnston  was  retreating  before  his  invincible  conqueror, 


LIFE   Oy    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  321 

and  the  whole  military  power  of  the  rebellion  east  of 
Mississippi  was  couceutrated  Avithin  an  area  of  not  more 
than  a  hundred  and  fifty  miles. 

The  movements  of  General  Grant  before  Petersburg 
commenced  ;  and  his  great  army,  now  animated  by  the 
sure  prestige  of  victory,  was  hurled  against  the  rebel  lines. 
The  shock  was  tremendous ;  the  whole  Avorld  seemed 
to  be  shaken  by  it,  for  it  was  the  onslaught  of  freedom, 
striking  its  last  terrible  blow  at  the  legions  of  slavery. 

The  fleet  on  the  James  was  busily  employed  in  fishing 
up  torpedoes,  in  guarding  the  pontoons  across  the  river, 
and  in  "neutralizing"  the  enemy's  irou-clads  which  lay 
above  the  obstructions.  The  Firefly  found  abundant  oc- 
cupation, though  there  Avas  no  opportunity  for  brilliant 
and  startling  achievements  ;  but  she  boi'e  her  full  share 
in  the  hard  work  and  disagreeable  drudgery  of  the 
occasion. 

Tom  Lougstone  had  entirely  recovered  from  his 
wound  ;  and  being  a  practical  man  himself,  he  was  the 
life  of  every  working  party  sent  out  from  the  ship.  The 
old  man  was  an  immense  favorite  with  the  sailors  ;  for, 
unlike  many  who  have  risen  from  a  low  position  to  a 
high,  he  was  kind  and  considerate,  while  he  exacted  the 
full  measure  of  duty  from  all.  He  was  no  tyrant,  and 
had  a  heart  for  every  man,  whatever  his  degree. 

"  Well,  Mr.  Lougstone,  we  have  got  almost  to  the  end 
of  the  rebellion,"  said  Captain  Somers,  on  one  of  those 


822  BRAVE   OLD   SALT,   OR 

last  days  of  March,  when  the  roar  from  beyond  Peters- 
burg was  heavier  than  usual. 

"  No  doubt  of  that,  captain,"  replied  Tom.  "  I  shall 
be  a  boatswain  again  before  long." 

"  Do  you  dread  the  time  ?  " 

"  No,  sir  ;  far  be  it  from  me.  I  wouldn't  prolong  the 
war  a  single  day,  if  that  day  would  make  me  an  admiral." 

"  Only  one  day,  Tom?  "  said  Somers,  with  a  smile. 

"  Not  one,  sir  !  "  repeated  the  veteran,  with  emphasis. 
"  For  on  that  day  a  husband  or  a  father,  a  brother  or 
a  son,  might  be  killed,  and  I  should  be  a  murderer  before 
God." 

"  What  do  you  think  of  those,  then,  that  began  this 
war?" 

"  They  are  murderers !  The  blood  of  every  man 
who  has  been  killed  in  this  war  on  both  sides  rests  on 
their  heads.  I'd  rather  be  Cain  than  Jeff  Davis,  or  any 
other  man  of  his  crew." 

"  I  think  you  are  right,  Tom." 

"  As  for  me,  it  don't  make  much  difference  whether 
I'm  a  boatswain  or  an  admiral.  Tliis  old  hulk  won't 
stand  many  more  storms  ;  and  I  wouldn't  do  a  meaa 
thing  for  the  sake  of  living  twenty  years.  Well,  well," 
sighed  the  veteran,  as  he  glanced  in  the  direction  from 
which  the  roar  of  the  artillery  came,  "  many  a  good  fel- 
low will  lose  the  number  of  his  mess  to-day." 

"  Hundreds  of  them." 


LIFE   ON  THE   QUARTER  DECK.  323 

And  so  the  reports  of  the  succeeding  days  assured 
them.  Tlie  rebels  had  stormed  and  temporarily  pos- 
sessed themselves  of  Fort  Steadman.  The  terrible  con- 
flict was  opened  in  earnest ;  and  from  that  time,  swarms 
of  prisoners  were  sent  forward  to  the  river,  which  were 
guarded  by  detachments  of  sailors  and  marines  from  the 
fleet. 

For  three  days  the  storm  of  war  continued  to  howl  in 
the  distance,  and  on  the  peaceful  Sabbath  more  fiercely 
than  before.  Vague  rumors  were  flying  through  the 
fleet,  and  everybody  felt  that  the  end  was  at  hand. 
Somers  retired  as  usual  that  night ;  but  in  the  first 
watch,  Tom  Longstone  came  down  to  him  with  report 
of  great  lights  and  heavy  explosions  in  the  direction  of 
Richmond. 

The  rebels  were  evacuating  the  city,  blowing  up  their 
iron-clads,  and  firing  the  town.  Richmond,  which  had 
defied  the  armies  of  the  Union  for  four  years,  had  fallen. 
The  heroic  and  persevering  Grant  had  struck  a  blow 
miles  away,  which  tumbled  down  the  last  stronghold  of 
treason.  Jeff  Davis  and  his  cabinet  were  fugitives  now, 
fleeing  from  men,  while  the  wrath  of  God  pursued  Avhere 
men  could  not  reach  them. 

The  morning  came,  and  Avith  it  the  glad  tidings  of 
victory,  which  foreshadowed  peace.  The  Firefly  was 
ordered  to  move  up  the  river,  and  she  Avent  up  into 
waters  where  a  loyal  steamer  had  not  floated  for  four 


324  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

years.  The  negro  troops  were  even  then  marching 
through  the  streets  of  Richmond,  The  note  of  rejoicing, 
begun  in  the  early  morning,  was  continued  through  the 
day.  The  briglitest  flags  and  the  heaviest  guns  pro- 
claimed the  joyful  event. 

The  Firefly  went  up  to  Varina,  and  then  returned. 
This  river  was  clear ;  there  was  no  sign  of  an  enemy 
upon  its  waters.  At  City  Point  the  sounds  of  rejoicing 
thrilled  upon  the  ear  of  soldier  and  sailor.  Cheer  upon 
cheer  rent  the  air,  gun  upon  gun  roared  the  pjean  of 
triumph,  and  every  heart  beat  in  unison  with  the  glad 
acclaim. 

"  Glory,  hallelujah  !  "  shouted  Somers,  on  the  quarter 
deck  of  the  Firefly,  as  she  passed  through  the  fleet. 

"  Glory,  hallelujah  !  "  returned  all  who  heard  him. 

Three  rousing  cheers,  such  as  Jack  only  can  give, 
came  from  the  flag-ship,  as  the  Firefly  ran  under  her 
counter. 

"  What's  that?  "  asked  Somers  —  for  there  seemed  to 
be  something  unusual  going  on. 

Calling  his  gig,  he  went  on  board  the  flag-ship  to 
report  the  result  of  his  visit  up  the  river.  On  the 
quarter  deck  he  discovered  a  familiar  face,  which  thrilled 
his  heart  with  delight.     It  was  "  Brave  Old  Salt." 

Somers  approached  the  vice  admiral,  cap  in  hand,  and 
was  immediately  recognized. 

"  Mr.  Somers,  I  am  delighted  to  see  you !  *■  said  the 
admiral,  extending  his  hand. 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTEIl    DECK.  325 

"  Thauk  yoii,  sir,"  replied  the  young  commander. 
"  This  is  an  unexpected  happiness  to  me." 

"  There  is  only  one  joy  to-day,  Mr.  Somers,"  con- 
tinned  the  admiral.  "  Richmond  has  fallen,  and  th« 
rehellion  is  ended  !  " 

"  Glory,  hallelujah  !  "  said  Somers,  waving  his  cap.    • 

"  I  came  down  here  to  learn  what  Grant  was  doing. 
Grod  bless  him !  He  has  done  everything,"  added  the 
admiral. 

Rear  Admiral  Porter  now  ordered  the  Firefly  to  be 
placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  Old  Salamander,  and 
Somers  was  happy  in  the  duty  assigned  to  him.  A 
twelve-oar  barge  i-eceived  the  vice  admiral,  and  con- 
veyed him  to  the  steamer  in  which  his  voyage  Avas  to,  be 
continued.  When  he  was  on  board,  the  barge  waa 
towed  astern  for  his  use  farther  up  tlie  river. 

The  Firefly  steamed  up  the  river  with  her  illustrious 
passenger,  and  at  the  invitation  of  the  admiral,  Somera 
accompanied  him  to  Richmond. 

A  day  later  came  President  Lincoln  in  a  barge,  at- 
tended by  Admiral  Porter,  and  Somers  had  the  honor  of 
being  formally  presented  to  the  chief  magistrate  of  the 
nation,  who  had  a  pleasant  word  for  him,  as  he  had  for 
all  who  approached  him.  Somers  assisted  in  the  ovatiou 
to  ihe  president,  and  listened  with  wonder  and  delight  tq 
the  shouts  of  the  negroes,  as  they  greeted  the  author  of 
28 


326  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OB 

the  Emancipation  Proclamation  as  the  saviour  and 
redeemer  of  their  race. 

Ten  clays  later,  that  simple,  great  man  fell  hy  the  hand 
of  the  assassin,  tliough  not  till  the  news  of  tlie  surrender 
of  Lee's  army  had  gladdened  his  heart,  and  assured  him 
that  the  great  work  of  his  lifetime  was  finished. 

Somers  was  shocked,  stunned  by  the  fearful  news,  the 
lEore  so  that  he  had  so  recently  pressed  the  hand  of  the 
illustrious  martyr  ;  and  though  the  nation  was  full  of 
mourners,  there  were  none  more  sincere  in  their  grief  than 
the  young  commander  of  the  Firefly.  He  wept  as  he 
would  have  wept  for  his  own  father  ;  and  shutting  himself 
up  in  his  cabin,  in  solemn  fast,  he  read  liis  Bible  and 
prayed  for  the  land  he  loved.  How  many  true  souls  did 
the  same,  when  they  heard  of  the  awful  tragedy  ! 

The  war  was  ended.  A  few  days  later  came  the  news 
of  Johnston's  surrender.  One  by  one,  the  gunboats  were 
ordered  north,  and  in  June  the  Firefly  dropped  her 
anchor  off  the  navy  yard  at  Charlestown.  A  few  hours 
later  Somers  was  in  the  arms  of  the  loved  ones  at  home, 
weeping  tears  of  joy  that  the  sound  of  strife  was  no  more 
heard  in  the  land. 

The  Firefly  Avas  no  longer  needed  in  the  navy,  and 
with  a  hundred  others  she  was  sold.  As  soon  as  she 
went  out  of  commission,  Tom  Longstone,  having  been 
"  honorably  discharged  with  the  thanks  of  the  depart- 
ment "  as  an  ensign,  returned  to  his  former  rank  of  boat- 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  327 

swain.  When  he  obtained  a  furlough,  he  paid  a  visit  to 
Pinchbrook,  where  he  was  kiudly  received  by  all  the 
friends  of  his  profer/e.  The  old  man  had  money  enough 
to  buy  him  a  farm  and  retire  from  the  navy  ;  but  he 
obstinately  refused  to  do  so  while  Somers  retained  his 
commission.  He  confidently  expected  to  be  appointed 
boatswain  of  the  ship  to  which  Lieutenant  Somers  might 
be  ordered. 

During  his  absence  Somers  had  received  occasional 
letters  from  Kate  Portington  ;  and  we  will  not  undertake 
to  say  how  many  reams  of  fine  note  paper  he  spoiled  in 
saying  what  can  be  of  interest  to  none  but  the  parties 
concerned.  Of  course  there  Avas  any  quantity  of  liquid 
moonshine  spread  out  on  these  dainty  sheets,  and  the 
yoimg  man  Avas  all  the  happier  for  writing  it,  as  she  was 
for  reading  it,  for  Kate  and  Somers  had  come  to  an  ex- 
cellent understanding  with  each  other  on  these  matters. 

At  the  earliest  day  the  public  service  would  admit,  he 
hastened  to  Newport ;  but  on  his  arrival  he  found  the 
commodore's  house  filled  with  grief  and  lamentation. 
The  husband  and  the  father — the  kindest  of  husbands  and 
the  tenderest  of  fathers  —  had  been  suddenly  stricken 
down  in  New  Orleans,  where  his  ship  was  stationed. 
The  sad  tidings  had  come  but  a  few  hours  before  ;  and  a 
few  hours  later  it  had  flashed  all  over  the  land  that  one 
of  the  nation's  truest  defenders  had  fallen  at  the  post  of 
duty. 


828  BRAVE    OLD    SALT,    OR 

la  her  grief  Kate  clung  to  Somers,  who  became  the 
tenderest  of  comforters.  Then  she  learned,  when  earth 
was  dark  to  her,  what  a  wealth  of  holy  hope  and  pious 
faith  there  was  in  the  soul  of  him  she  had  chosen  from 
the  whole  world  to  lean  upon  in  joy  a.d  in  soitow,  in 
prosperity  and  adversity,  till  life's  fitful  dream  was  over. 
Fondly  she  looked  up  to  him  in  her  heavy  afHiction,  and 
through  him  to  the  heaven  of  which  he  spoke.  He  wept 
iv^ith  her  for  him  who  was  gone,  and  if  she  had  loved 
■^im  before,  she  reverenced  him  now. 

Two  weeks  after  the  news  came  a  steamer  bearing  the 
««mains  of  the  deceased  commodore.  Then  the  tears 
Iroke  out  afresh,  and  Somers  continued  to  perform  the 
h')ly  office  he  had  chosen,  With  the  bereaved  child  — 
the  only  one  —  he  stood  at  the  tomb,  and  helped  her  to 
see  the  glory  that  streamed  forth  beyond  its  dark  portals. 
Every  day,  for  weeks  after,  he  visited  her,  never  now  to 
speak  of  his  own  selfish  heart  yearnings,  but  to  utter 
words  of  peace  and  hope.  Wlien  he  announced  his 
intention  to  return  home,  she  could  not  restrain  her  tears, 
K)  needful  had  he  become  to  her  in  the  depth  of  her 
sorrow. 

In  the  autumn  her  mother  and  herself  came  to  Boston 
to  spend  the  winter.  Kate  was  cheerful  now,  but  the 
affliction  through  which  she  had  passed  had  given  a  shade 
of  pensive  sadness  to  her  beautiful  face,  which  time  alone 
could  wear  away.     They  attended  the  wedding  of  Majo* 


LIFE    ON    THE    QUARTER    DECK.  329 

Somers,  John's  brother,  and  rejoiced  with  him  as  he  put 
the  cup  of  bliss  to  his  lips.  Lilian  and  Kate  became  fast 
friends ;  they  were  nearer  alike  now  than  before  the 
death  of  Commodore  Portington. 

The  winter  passed  away,  and  early  in  March  Lieu- 
tenant Somers  was  appointed  to  a  ship  bound  to  the 
Pacific  Ocean.  He  must  be  absent  two  or  three  years. 
He  hastened  to  Kate  with  the  intelligence  ;  and  sad  as  it 
was  to  himself,  he  knew  it  would  be  infinitely  more  so  to 
her.  She  turned  pale,  and  burst  into  tears.  Her  mothei 
was  hardly  less  afffected. 

"  You  must  not  go,  John !  0,  no  !  You  will  not 
leave  me !  " 

"  I  must  obey  orders." 

"  You  can  resign,"  suggested  Mrs.  Portlngton. 

"  Resign  !  "  exclaimed  Somers.  "  Resign  when  I  am 
ordered  to  difficult  or  disagreeable  duty." 

"  You  need  not  make  so  much  of  it,"  added  the 
matron,  with  a  smile.  "  There  are  twice  as  many  offi- 
cers in  the  navy  as  are  required.  It  is  certainly  no  dis- 
grace, in  time  of  peace,  to  resign.  You  will  only  make 
a  place  for  another  who  wants  to  visit  the  Pacific." 

"  You  must  resign,  John,"  pleaded  Kate,  with  an 
eloquence  which  he  could  not  resist. 

"  On  one  condition  I  will  do  so,"  replied  he,  at  last. 
"  If  there  should  be  war,  I  shall  return  to  my  post,  if 
needed." 


330  URAVE    OLD    SALT. 

And  thus  it  was  that  Somers  left  the  navy.  His  prize 
money,  which  had  been  carefully  invested  from  time  to 
time  by  Captain  Barney,  now  amounted  to  more  thau 
twenty  thousand  dollars.  lie  was  able  to  retire,  and  he 
did  so. 

It  is  generally  understood  that  they  are  to  be  married 
in  the  autumn,  when  Mr.  Somers  will  receive  half  a  mil- 
lion with  his  wife,  who  is  worth  a  million  times  that  sum 
herself.  As  the  happy  event  has  not  yet  occurred,  we 
have  nothing  to  say  about  it,  but  we  wish  them  every  joy 
in  anticipation.  Mrs.  Portington  speaks  hopefully  of  the 
occasion,  and  has  already  selected  a  location,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Boston,  Avhere  the  happy  young  couple  are  to 
reside. 

This  event  has  decided  Tom  Longstone.  He  has 
thrown  up  his  warrant,  and  bought  a  farm  in  Pinchbrook, 
on  which  he  intends  to  "  lay  up"  for  the  rest  of  his  life. 
A  niece,  who  lost  her  husband  in  the  war,  is  his  house- 
keeper, and  at  the  time  of  Somers's  last  visit,  the  veteran 
was  at  the  high  tide  of  felicity. 

With  many  regrets  we  bid  adieu  to  John  Somers,  to 
Thomas  his  brother,  and  all  of  the  family.  We  leave 
them  prosperous  and  happy ;  but  they  have  purchased 
earth's  joys  and  heaven's  hopes  by  being  faithful  to  duty 
—  true  to  God  and  themselveg. 


OLIVER    OPTICS  BOOKS. 


THE  BLUE  AND  THE  aRAY 

SERIES 

tllastrated.     With  Smblematic  Dies.    Each   Tolume  bound  in  Bln<> 
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TAKEN  BY  THE  ENEMY. 
WITHIN  THE  ENEMY'S  LINES, 
ON  THE  BLOCKADE. 
STAND  BY  THE  UNION. 

The  opening  of  a  new  series  of  books  from  the  pen  of  Oliver  Optic  is  bound  to 
arouse  the  highest  anticipation  in  the  minds  of  boy  and  girl  readers.  There 
never  has  been  a  more  interesting  writer  in  the  field  of  juvenile  literature  than 
Mr.  W.  T.  Adams,  who,  under  his  well-known  pseudonym,  is  known  and  admired 
by  every  boy  and  girl  in  the  country,  and  by  thousands  who  have  long  since 
passed  the  boundaries  of  youth,  yet  who  remember  with  pleasure  the  genial,  in- 
teresting pen  that  did  so  much  to  interest,  instruct  and  entertain  their  younger 
years.  The  present  volume  opens  "  Tlie  Blue  and  the  Gray  ISeries,"  a  title  that  is 
sufficiently  indicative  of  the  nature  and  spirit  of  the  series,  of  which  the  first 
volume  is  now  presented,  while  the  name  of  Oliver  Optic  is  sufficient  warrant  of 
the  absorbing  style  of  narrative.  "  Taken  by  the  Enemy,"  the  first  book  of  the 
series,  is  as  bright  and  entertaining  as  any  work  tha*  Mr.  Adams  has  yet  put 
forth,  and  will  be  as  eagerly  perused  as  any  that  has  bpi-ne  his  name.  It  would 
not  be  fair  to  the  prospective  reader  to  deprive  him  of  the  zest  which  comes  from 
the  unexpected,  by  entering  into  a  synopsis  of  the  story.  A  word,  however, 
should  be  said  in  regard  to  the  beauty  and  nppropriateness  of  the  binding,  which 
makes  it  a  most  attractive  volume. —  Boston  Budget. 

"  Taken  by  the  Enemy  "  has  just  come  from  the  press,  an  announcement  that 
cannot  but  appeal  to  every  healthy  boy  from  ten  to  fifteen  years  of  age  in  the 
country.  "  No  writer  of  the  present  day,"  says  tlie  Boston  Commonwealth, 
"whose  aim  has  been  to  hit  the  boyish  heart,  has  been  as  successfu"  as  Oliver 
Optic.  There  is  a  period  in  the  life  of  every  youth,  just  about  the  time  that  he  is 
collecting  postage-stamps,  and  before  his  legs  are  long  enough  for  a  bicyc'e,  when 
he  has  the  Oliver  Optic  fever.  He  catcher  it  by  reading  a  few  stray  ijages  »ome- 
where,  and  tlien  there  is  nothing  for  it  but  to  lot  the  matter  take  its  course  Re- 
lief comes  only  when  the  last  page  of  the  last  book  is  read ;  and  then  there  are 
relapses  whenever  a  new  book  appears  until  one  is  safely  on  through  the 
teens."  —  Literary  News. 


OLIVER   OPTICS  BOOKS. 


ARMY  AND  NAYY  STOEIES 

Six  Tolumes.    Illustrated.    Per  vol.,  $1.50. 


1.  THE  SOLDIER  BOY ; 

Or,  Tom  Somers  in  the  Army. 

%  THE  SAILOR  BOY; 

Or,  Jack  Somers  in  the  Navy. 

8.  THE  YOUNG  LIEUTENANT; 

Or,  Adventures  of  an  Army  Officer^ 

4.  THE  YANKEE  MIDDY; 

Or,  Adventures  of  a  Naw  Offi*<er. 

5.  FIGHTING  JOE; 

Or,  The  Fortunes  of  a  Staff  Officer, 

6.  BRAVE  OLD  SALT; 

Or,  liife  on  the  Qnarter-Deck. 


This  series  of  six  volumes  recounts  the  adventures  of  two 
brotjiers,  Tom  and  Jack  Somers,  one  in  the  arm}',  the  other  in 
the  navy,  in  the  great  civil  war.  The  romantic  najsratives  of 
the  fortunes  and  exploits  of  the  brothers  are  thrilling  in  the 
extreme.  Historical  accurac}'  in  the  recital  of  the  great 
events  of  that  period  is  strictly  followed,  and  the  result  is 
not  orly  a  library  of  entertaining  volumes,  but  also  the  best 
history  of  the  civil  war  for  young  people  ever  written. 


OLIVER   OPTICS  BOOKS. 


YOUNG    AMERICA   ABEOAD. 

FIKST    SEKIES. 

A  Lii^rary  of  Travel  and  Adventure  in  Foreign  Hiands.    16mo. 

Illustrated  by  ^~ast,  Stevens,  Perkins,  and  others. 

yer  volume,  $1.50. 


1.  OUTWARD  BOUND; 

Or,  Young  America  Afloat. 

2.  SHAMROCK  AND  THISTLE; 

Or,  Young  America  in  Ireland  and  Scotland, 

3.  RED  CROSS; 

Or.  Young  America  in  England  and  Wales. 

4.  OIKES  AND  DITCHES; 

Or,  Young  America  in  Holland  and  Belginm. 

5.  PALACE  AND  COTTAGE; 

Or,  Young  America  in  France  and  Switzerland. 

o*.  DOWN  THE  RHINE; 

Or,  Young  America  in  Germany. 


The  stoiy  from  its  inception  and  through  the  twelve  vol 
ames  \6^q  Second  Series),  is  a  bewitching  one,  while  the  in- 
formation imparted,  concerning  the  countries  of  Europe  and 
the  isles  of  the  sea,  is  not  onl}'  correct  in  every  particular,  but 
is  told  in  a  captivating  style.  "  Oliver  Optic  "  will  continue 
to  be  the  boy's  friend,  and  his  pleasant  books  will  continue  to 
be  read  by  thousands  of  American  boj's.  What  a  fine  holiday 
present  either  or  both  series  of  "  Young  America  Abroad" 
would  be  for  a  young  friend  !  It  would  make  a  little  librarj 
highly  prized  by  the  recipient,  and  would  not  be  an  expensive 
one.  —  Providence  Press. 


OLIVER   OPTIC'S  BOOKS, 

THE  QEEAT  WESTERN 

SERIES. 

Six  V^ltuneg.    Illustrated.   Per  irol.,  $1.5Qk 


1.  GOING  WEST; 

Or,  The  Perils  of  a  Poor  Boy. 

2.  OUT  WEST; 

Or,  Roughing  it  on  the  Great  Lakeik 

8.  LAKE  BREEZES; 

Or,  The  Craiss  of  the  Sylvania. 

4.  GOING  SOUTH; 

Or,  Yachting  on  the  Atlantic  C«act. 

6.  DOWN  SOUTH; 

Or,  Yacht  Adventures  in  Florida. 

B.  UP  THE  RIVER ; 

Or,  Yachting  on  the  Mississippi. 

This  is  the  latest  series  of  books  issued  bj  this  popular 
vfriter,  and  deals  with  Life  on  the  Great  Lakes,  for  which  h 
careful  stud.y  was  made  by  the  author  in  a  summer  tour  of  the 
immense  water  sources  of  America.  The  story,  which  carries 
the  same  hero  through  the  six  books  of  the  series,  is  always 
entertaining,  novel  scenes  and  varied  incidents  giving  a  con- 
stantly cnanging,  yet  always  attractive  aspect  to  the  narra- 
ii\e.     "Oliver  Optic"  has  written  nothing  better. 


RARE  BOOK 
COLLECTION 


THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

AT 

CHAPEL  HILL 


Wilmer 
7 


